Hip replacements

Paul Krugman has been another kick of writing about universal health care, and he write something today (Times Select) that is totally obvious but which I've never heard mentioned. Every time opponents or skeptics talk about universal health care systems in other countries they bring up the long wait times for specialty services. Krugman makes the oft-made observation that even insured people don't exactly have short wait times for specialty services (or really any kind of service... I had to reschedule a primary care appointment I had tomorrow, and the earliest I could book was August 13, and that's after major improvements in the student health center's personnel). But then he goes one to note:

"It’s true that Americans get hip replacements faster than Canadians. But there’s a funny thing about that example, which is used constantly as an argument for the superiority of private health insurance over a government-run system: the large majority of hip replacements in the United States are paid for by, um, Medicare.

"That’s right: the hip-replacement gap is actually a comparison of two government health insurance systems. American Medicare has shorter waits than Canadian Medicare (yes, that’s what they call their system) because it has more lavish funding — end of story. The alleged virtues of private insurance have nothing to do with it."

I mean, yeah! Duh! I've never once thought to make this argument, and I did research on joint replacements. But Krugman is right! Is there a reason to believe the wait would increase if Medicare were extended to the entire population? That wouldn't necessarily be the case.

Plan B duh of the day

"Plan B Use Surges, And So Does Controversy" says the Washington Post today, noting that there has been a doubling in sales of the completely non-aborciafacent extra-strong hormone pill since the FDA allowed over the counter sales for women 18 years of age and over. Even though anyone with half a brain would think that making a pill, any pill, easier to get would probably lead to a big-ass rise in sales, conservatives are shocked, *shocked!* at the increase. That was the whole friggin point of making it over the counter, you idiots! There was this huge unmet demand that is now being met, what do you expect?

Some stupid ass from the FRC was saying the decision puts women's health at risk. Yeah, because we all know pregnancy is so health-neutral. *eye tendons limit desired extent of rolling*

Chocolate diversion

I had Cadbury bars (presumably of the British variety) in Malawi, and this NYT article explains how they're so much more delicious than American chocolate bars. Mmmmm, mint crisp and whole nut. I also had some Smarties and they kick M&Ms ass.

Plugging along

I actually bothered to go to the office today. I've added some more to the methods section and poked at the data slightly. It's not as fun as being at the shore, but I do have one of the better views around here at least.

My meeting was supposed to be in 15 minutes, but it got pushed back half an hour, so I guess I have to try to work some more. Even if I only work in ADD-esque spurts I still get a lot more done than if I don't poke at the document every few minutes.