The Doctor of the future.....

will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.
~Thomas A. Edison
US inventor (1847 - 1931)

and it now looks like "The Doctor Of The Future" will be (already is, IMHO) our NEXT HEALTH CRISIS -- Physician shortage

I sure hope we see more availability to holistic, alternative, and homeopathic remedies.

I've sure had it with my General Practitioner. The last 3 times I needed an appointment, I could "wait 2-3 weeks or see the nurse this afternoon".

I REALLY LIKE THE NURSE!! She was most patient in trying to help me with my insomnia. I saw her a few times as we tried several drugs that I still can't pronounce. Nothing worked. One day I decided to go to Whole Paycheck -- I mean Whole Foods -- to see what was available in the way of natural remedies. I looked for one of the helpers (i.e. the hippie herbalist types they have roaming the isles) and we had a great conversation about sleep. He recommended an herbal cocktail (mostly valerian, seditol, lavender, hops, passion flower...) that I decided to try. Was kind of expensive ($27) for 30 softgels -- the dosage is 1-3 -- so I need a bottle and a half or so per month. Then I thought about the cost of all my "consultations" with the nurse. Three visits @ $35 co-pay plus all the money wasted on those drugs -- PLUS I wonder what my insurance company paid for the office visits and the drugs.

I'm really beginning to resent the huge premiums we are paying (hubby is about 50/50 with employer) because I really haven't benefited from ANY of the coverage I have. OK, I know -- that's why it's called "insurance" -- In case I get hit by that bus.

I really hope these 2000 pages of Health Care Reform have a lot written about "care of the human frame, a proper diet, and the cause and prevention of disease."

It's just one big mess that I don't think will ever get resolved.



Some related opinions:

Common Sense May Sink ObamaCare -- Peggy Noonan

Five Freedoms You'd Lose In Health Care Reform -- Shawn Tully - Editor at Large, Fortune