Well, I almost wasn't going to post this...

But here goes.

Justifiable Homicide.

Reading through my own RSS feeds, seems several people have gotten their panties in a twist.

Good.

But I do want to point out that abortions are still legal medical procedures and so killing/harming someone for performing a legal procedure is still illegal.

Here's where it gets scary.

How many people are going to use this to feel justified? People already attack and kill physicians. Now there's a wordy bill that almost makes it seem...ok.

For those of you who read all that and heads are still spinning.

South Dakota is passing a bill that extends justifiable homicide (killing someone attacking someone else) to include those doing harm to a fetus/unborn child.

I do however like PZ Meyer's take on it.

They've still got to amend this thing, though. There's no mention of a season or of bag limits.

Do this right and we'll give you a cookie.

That's my assessment of Pay for Performance.

What's that you say? You normal, non-hospital person.

Weeeeelll, let's get into it. (Yes, I'm mixing homework and blog time.)

Pay for Performance.

Essentially, there are some "Quality Indicators" set up based on your presenting complaint. If the healthcare team hits these indicators the hospital gets "rewarded" for your visit. Sounds like a pretty good idea. I mean, everyone likes cookies. :D

Its purpose is to align payment incentives to encourage ongoing improvement in a way that will ensure high-quality care for all.

-http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11723&page=3#

For all. That would be nice. Unfortunately, an unintended effect has been the avoidance of "high-risk" patients. Those with multiple problems that would make meeting these "quality indicators" very difficult.

Then there's also fee for service. You basically get a bill for each test or procedure run, submit it to your insurance and hope they cover it. Also costs more, for you.

So it feels like this to me.

You can either order a #5 Cheeseburger that comes with lettuce, pickle tomato, fries, and a shake.

OR you can individually select what toppings and sides you want and pay the extra $0.50 per selection.

There's the argument that managed care, and care plans, and quality indicators are making medicine to be less of an art, more of a one size fits all. I hear grumblings that doctors can't make their own clinical judgement anymore. While I understand this frustration. I also like protocols. I feel they hit the high points. You cover the bases and check out all the reasonable possibilities.

I've heard the story one too many times about the 25 year old marathon runner presenting with chest pain and dying from an MI because no one thought it necessary to do an EKG on her.

Call me a freak, but zebras exist.

The problem is, as it always is, payment. How are we going to afford this mess?

Pay for Performance, doesn't make it cheaper.

Arg, so many problems, not enough solutions.

It's at this point in playing Sim City or Caesar I would generally quit and do something less stressful.

Now I have to reword all that in a professional sense and submit it as my assignment. Too bad I can't use hyperlinks...

Well, um oops.

Yea, it's me.

Not dead actually.

Just... busy...

Didn't realize more than a month had gone by since I posted anything... at all. Don't worry though, I haven't read my RSS feeds or called my mother.

But all that is going to change.

Eventually.

Maybe.

Meh.

So, what HAVE you been doing?!?

Truth is, I've got a roommate now and she's way more interesting to talk to than to surf the web first thing in the morning. So. HA.

Plus, this whole marathon training thing takes a LOT of time. Phew. I'll be glad when this is over and I can go back to simple hour long runs (instead of 4-5hours.)

Work is pretty intense with all the changes they're wanting to make and all the studies I want to do. I've been collecting, and compiling data, writing proposals and papers like a nut job.

I just hope I remember to document it all so I can get reimbursed with the whole Professional Advancement thingie they've got going on.

In addition to that crazy business, going back to class (even online class) takes quite a bit of time.

Good news is I'm progressing faster than a 90s video game character

Actually, at the rate I'm going I could be done by December.

Hm, fun.

Kelly visited again this weekend. No mudruns though. This time we played video games and attended a birthday party for Darwin. I know how to have a good time.

She's making me be a more social person. So I'm joining a club. We have a meeting tomorrow night. Kinda nervous. Geeks don't get out much. I haven't had to be social sans people I know in a very long time.

But, how can you call yourself an ENTJ you say?

ENTJs love to interact with people. As Extroverts, they're energized and stimulated primarily externally. There's nothing more enjoyable and satisfying to the ENTJ than having a lively, challenging conversation. They especially respect people who are able to stand up to the ENTJ, and argue persuasively for their point of view.

I am energized and like to be around people, but I don't necessarily want to talk to them. Tackett and I discovered this similar contrary trait we share. We like people, but we don't really like them.

I guess it's because I enjoy a good conversation and most people are (in my opinion) poor conversationalists.

I'm almost tempted to go purchase these, just so I'll know how to talk to people.

Meh, enough about this.

I'll get back on my blogging track and begin to provide details into all the fun and interesting things going on here.

Until then.

No science rage today.

Not enough time to catchup.

However,

I am listening to The Panic Virus on my long runs.

Well, I will be. Once I'm done with The Moral Landscape. (Book club meeting on Thursday if I do!)

I bet you can't wait for more Andrew Wakefield anger once I get into that!