Some member of Congress favor a public insurance option like the one proposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, yet even before this bill was finalized it was already being characterized as only a "starting point."  Some members of congress favor a state based solution and want an opt-out clause included in any national government run plan.  Yet it is unclear whether an opt-out option is feasible due to the complexities of tax and cost issues.  Other members are pushing for add-ons including increased drug coverage for seniors, increased subsidies for lower-income families, or other complex exemptions or inclusion issues.

Adding to the overall melee is the pressure felt by for congressional members facing re-election next year; and pressure from the White House for a bipartisan victory as President Obama nears the end of his first year.  It seems clear that with a wealth of complicated issues a comprehensive health care reform bill may be a long way off.

Yet even as Congress and the Washington power brokers endlessly debate and write and rewrite congressional bills the need for technological medical advances is growing.  With a growing number of baby boomers reaching retirement age and the overall poor health choices made by a large part of the population, the pressure on the health care system may be approaching a critical point.  Although medical knowledge and technology is expanding, the funding to implement the latest technological advances lags far behind.

Thermal imaging, for example, has shown enormous potential for early detection of a wide range of diseases and conditions.  Infrared cameras can be used to produce high-quality thermal images showing such dangerous conditions as breast cancer tumors, deep vein thrombi, vascular disease, and brain cancer tumor boundaries.  The limited use of these devices is allowing needless costs as well as suffering to countless patients.  The benefits of early detection and the resultant simplified treatment options could result in enormous long-range savings and save many lives, yet the technology is expanding far too slowly for most people to benefit.

The use of infrared cameras in breast cancer screening, for example, allows for the detection of breast tumors up to a decade before they could be detected by mammogram or physical exam.  The cost savings of early detection are nearly impossible to calculate.  However, by factoring in such considerations as simpler surgeries, less chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and less long-term drug therapy, it seems clear that this type of technology might do far more to reduce medical costs than some current government proposals.  When you add in the benefit of reduced pain and suffering and the human lives that may be saved by these types of technological advances, it is not hard to believe that Congress may be focused on the wrong issues.

by Lee Wright

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