The Far Right's All Out Offensive Against Medical Research

[Why Syzygy]

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/127809/the_far_right%27s_all_out_offensive_against_medical_research/

By Howard Dean, AlterNet. Posted February 20, 2009.


Comparative Effectiveness Research:

At issue is something called "Comparative Effectiveness Research" which basically means giving your doctor access to the latest research on what treatments and therapies work and which don't. This also helps doctors know which treatments are more expensive than others, and helps both patients and doctors decide if there is a cheaper treatment that is just as effective. As a doctor and the husband of a doctor, I know how important it is to have solid scientific research to make critical decisions for my patients.

This research will help doctors choose the best treatment for their patients' situation and help them make more informed choices rather than risk prescribing less effective or even potentially harmful treatments.

Essentially, in order to control costs and provide patients with better care as we reform health care, the Federal Government will fund and disseminate research that evaluates the effectiveness of different treatments and medicines. This research will give doctors and patients better choices, and most importantly better health care for their money.

This is a common sense idea that should have been put in place a long ago.

When I was practicing medicine, having greater access to scientific evidenced-based research would have been truly helpful in guiding me to make the best medical decisions for my patients.
~snip

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. But the GOP wants to leave it all to "the market"

which has worked really well so far. NOT.

(except for GOP pocket books)

:sarcasm:

[Celebration]

2. well, I do think this could be a first step

In some sort of government health care. I guess that is why the GOP is against it. Big pharma probably doesn't like it, if it is an end around their marketing.

[trotsky]

3. I agree with Dr. Dean.

"Medicine is and should always be science based -- not driven by ideology."