Dr. Mercola attacks government health care bill

[sluggo]

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YouTube - Dr. Mercola's Opinion on the Health Care Bill

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[specsaregood]

Personally, I'd like to see Mercola start talking about how this legislation is going to potentially economically cripple the "alternative" health industry. If you force people to pay for allopathic insurance, this removes the amount of $$$ they have available to spend on "alternative" treatments. No more extra $$$ for vitamins and supplements? That's ok we got your prescription drugs covered. Your back is screwed up? You can no longer afford to see the chiropractor, that's ok we'll give you some oxy's for your backpain....

[TCE]

Originally Posted by specsaregood

Personally, I'd like to see Mercola start talking about how this legislation is going to potentially economically cripple the "alternative" health industry. If you force people to pay for allopathic insurance, this removes the amount of $$$ they have available to spend on "alternative" treatments. No more extra $$$ for vitamins and supplements? That's ok we got your prescription drugs covered. Your back is screwed up? You can no longer afford to see the chiropractor, that's ok we'll give you some oxy's for your backpain....

Not from what I have been hearing in my circles. After communicating with some in the alternative health field, they actually see a large increase coming after this bill is passed. While everyone is forced into Obamacare, after a few years, the rich and upper middle class will want to get out of the system since all of the good doctors will be gone. Where will they turn? To homeopathic and Naturopathic doctors who charge a fair price and give top notch care.

The fields of naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, etc. are perfect right now because they are free from government intervention. While the doctors still have degrees, their prices are controlled by the free market and not the government.

[specsaregood]

Originally Posted by TCE

they actually see a large increase coming after this bill is passed. While everyone is forced into Obamacare, after a few years, the rich and upper middle class will want to get out of the system since all of the good doctors will be gone.

But they won't be able to "get out" of the system as it will be required by law to at least pay for it and officially be a part of it.

Originally Posted by TCE

To homeopathic and Naturopathic doctors who charge a fair price and give top notch care.

No disagreement.

Originally Posted by TCE

The fields of naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, etc. are perfect right now because they are free from government intervention. While the doctors still have degrees, their prices are controlled by the free market and not the government.

Yes; BUT the government is going to FORCE people to pay for insurance that covers their competitors, I doubt naturopaths, homeopaths, chiropractors will be covered by the "government approved" plans. So what you say maybe true for people with excess disposble income, it will not be true of people with a somewhat limited budget. No matter what I will be forced to pay for allopathic insurance, Many won't have enough to pay for that AND for alternatives. Like in my example: my back gets out of place, my disposable income is already slurped dry paying for the govt mandated insurance. What do I do? Go to a regular doctor that will prescribe me pain medicine for it or spend that extra money to go see a chiropractor? One is already paid for....

Besides all that, how unthinkable would it be for the those govt mandated insurance plans to add stipulation that you CANT take part in alternative medicines or risk an increased premium? ie: you are taking part in what we consider questionable/unhealthy activities so we are going to up your rate. Guess what, you dont' have a choice because the government is still forcing you to cover our type of insurance....

Or for another example, I use a lot of supplments and vitamins, not as much as some people but a fair penny. There are many like me that do so, this insurance requirement is taking my disposable income that currently goes to purchasing those supplements. I doubt vitamins and supplments will be covered by these insurance programs; but theyd' be more than happy to cover the cost of prescription drugs. So the vitamin and supplement manufactures and stores stand to lose due to this also.

I don't see how it is possible that this type of legislation will have a positive effect on that industry, I hope I'm wrong though.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by TCE

Not from what I have been hearing in my circles. After communicating with some in the alternative health field, they actually see a large increase coming after this bill is passed. While everyone is forced into Obamacare, after a few years, the rich and upper middle class will want to get out of the system since all of the good doctors will be gone. Where will they turn? To homeopathic and Naturopathic doctors who charge a fair price and give top notch care.

The fields of naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, etc. are perfect right now because they are free from government intervention. While the doctors still have degrees, their prices are controlled by the free market and not the government.

Dude, my chiropractor can't see Medicare patients because Pelosi and Bush banned it in the 2008 farm bill.

[TCE]

Originally Posted by specsaregood

But they won't be able to "get out" of the system as it will be required by law to at least pay for it and officially be a part of it.

Wealthy Americans are already in the system. So, if they get angry enough with all of these new mandates, they will drop their "Cadillac" plan for the lowest cost plan. Then, they will go to their local Natural Health practitioner for care out of their own pocket.

Originally Posted by specsaregood

Yes; BUT the government is going to FORCE people to pay for insurance that covers their competitors, I doubt naturopaths, homeopaths, chiropractors will be covered by the "government approved" plans. So what you say maybe true for people with excess disposble income, it will not be true of people with a somewhat limited budget. No matter what I will be forced to pay for allopathic insurance, Many won't have enough to pay for that AND for alternatives. Like in my example: my back gets out of place, my disposable income is already slurped dry paying for the govt mandated insurance. What do I do? Go to a regular doctor that will prescribe me pain medicine for it or spend that extra money to go see a chiropractor? One is already paid for....

The doctors will retaliate. They will simply refuse to see patients that are on the government plan because it pays them too little in reimbursements. Think Medicare and Medicaid. Sure, some doctors will accept pennies on the dollar for their services, but more and more will start denying people.

Look at who goes to Naturopaths, etc. now, it is mostly the rich. Low income people, unfortunately, tend to be on some kind of welfare and cannot afford natural health practitioners. So, that will stay the way it is now. You will still be able to purchase the cheapest possible plan for emergencies. That way, the government will stay off your back but you'll still have income for the chiropractor. While lower middle class and the impoverished won't be able to afford both, around 40% of people can.

Originally Posted by specsaregood

Besides all that, how unthinkable would it be for the those govt mandated insurance plans to add stipulation that you CANT take part in alternative medicines or risk an increased premium? ie: you are taking part in what we consider questionable/unhealthy activities so we are going to up your rate. Guess what, you dont' have a choice because the government is still forcing you to cover our type of insurance....

It is entirely possible, but not enforceable in the least. If I pay in cash, what can the government do? The only way for that to happen is if the government places heavy restrictions on natural health practitioners, which will cause them to revolt if they are to be shut down. It is more likely that they would choose to just leave them alone and hope that this new public option shuts them down.

Originally Posted by specsaregood

Or for another example, I use a lot of supplments and vitamins, not as much as some people but a fair penny. There are many like me that do so, this insurance requirement is taking my disposable income that currently goes to purchasing those supplements. I doubt vitamins and supplments will be covered by these insurance programs; but theyd' be more than happy to cover the cost of prescription drugs. So the vitamin and supplement manufactures and stores stand to lose due to this also.

Right, 38% at the last government study, which is way up from what it was in 2000. I don't know about you, but from what I am hearing, supplements and vitamins have never been more popular. Doctors whom I knew years ago are now actually supportive of vitamins and supplements. This sentiment isn't going away anytime soon. For your question, keep in mind that there will still be premiums. Drugs won't be free. There will be a deductible that needs to be met. Yes, the vitamin companies COULD start taking a hit because of that, but I think the free market will win out. I can get WAY more supplements for $20 than I can get drugs. The mainstream is now beginning to give a nod to supplements. Tom Harkin, chairman of the HELP committee, has been a big supporter of vitamin companies and natural therapies. Expect him to start showing them some love.

Originally Posted by specsaregood

I don't see how it is possible that this type of legislation will have a positive effect on that industry, I hope I'm wrong though.

I hope you are too, and I hope Harkin slipped in some pro-natural health guidelines into the bill. Although that is likely only wishful thinking.

Epic: Consider that a good thing. If he could, then the price of going to a chiropractor would skyrocket. In my area, it is extremely reasonable.