On April 8th, The
Washington Post had an article in it referring to two major local hospitals
that were looking to spend tens of millions of dollars for new cancer treatment
facilities. Sounds great right? Both hospitals want to put the same
treatment center in though, which means one, both, or neither of them may get
approval. They both want attempting to establish center that use proton
beam therapy, which is a new cutting edge radiation treatment. It has the
ability to more precisely target tumors then conventional radiation treatments,
which should make it safer for healthy tissues.
The only problem is
that it has not been proven to be better then cheaper alternatives for some
cancers. It has a great deal of potential but so far lacks the data. So
why spend these millions on an unproven facility? Well, the Post answered
that: A patient who has prostate cancer and is treated with the proton
beam therapy will be paid by Medicare $32,000, whereas for conventional
radiation it is less then $19,000. So, could it be about the money?
As an unidentified executive in the Post said, "The hospitals make
a ton of money".
So why do I care if
it could be a better treatment. It is because not all
treatments that are more expensive are better. I am currently treating a
patient whom had been through the ringer for his neck pain. MRIs,
physical therapy, cortisone injections, and surgery is on the table as well.
But what works for him, giving him the relief he needs, is Chiropractic care.
The least expensive of his options. Unfortunately, his insurance
company does not want to cover any more care as he has reached his
"lifetime time limit" of $1000. The would have no problem
paying for more physical therapy, cortisone shots or even multiple surgeries,
but heaven forbid they pay for what works inexpensively.
Maybe, just maybe, we
need more common sense when it comes to treating patients.
Cramer Chiropractic Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us.
12850 Middlebrook Rd #209
Germantown, MD 20874
301-972-9191
