There is a major split between technologies used in healthcare. On one side are technologies used to increase efficiency and lower costs. On the other side are technologies used to improve care and extend life. The first side will tend to make it easier to increase access and level the playing field. The second side will actually increase costs and probably inequality of access.
President Obama's proposed initiatives for healthcare are all aimed at the first side, at streamlining communications and reducing information friction. This is a good and valid use of government funds and I, at least, support it whole-heartedly.
But we stand on the threshold of a new world--not a Brave New World, but a chance to overcome the hurdles at the end of our days and turn our alloted three score and ten into five score and four. It'd be a shame to delay that new world by ignoring what technology can do.
So the question that may well control how long you and I live is, will Obama at least provide moral support for the part of technology that makes life difficult for hospital administrators and insurers--new treatments and drugs that extend life at a relatively high cost? It'd be a shame if the answer was no.
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