Government rationing:H1N1

[Anonymous]

That's what this is, right? We wait in long lines hoping to be lucky enough to get our "free" shot. I would gladly pay $150 to make an appointment rather than wait with my high energy, low tolerance autism spectrum child on an endless line only to find out the quota for the day was reached. Is this a foreshadowing of what is to come if we let the government take over healthcare?

[Anonymous]

Obviously you wouldn't have to deal with national healthcare if you'd "gladly pay $150 to make an appointment."

So why are you complaining?

because you truly care about those who really can't afford to pay top dollar for a premium plan?

or because you were inconvenienced?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:That's what this is, right? We wait in long lines hoping to be lucky enough to get our "free" shot. I would gladly pay $150 to make an appointment rather than wait with my high energy, low tolerance autism spectrum child on an endless line only to find out the quota for the day was reached. Is this a foreshadowing of what is to come if we let the government take over healthcare?

Strictly speaking this is not rationing. Rationing is the equal distribution to each person. In this case, since there is not enough vaccine for each person, distribution is being prioritized in favor of those most threatened by the disease. As I'm sure you know, the reason there is a shortage of the vaccine is due to the lateness with which the flu strain was identified and difficulties in the manufacturing process. Pricing the vaccine at $150 would not result in more vaccine, it would just prioritize distribution in favor of those with $150, which would likely eliminate many children.

Also, nobody is proposing that the government take over healthcare. If you are going to try to score political points, you might try to understand at least the fundamentals of the discussion.

[Anonymous]

This time Jeff, I agree with you.

At this point, I actually think only the government should have this vaccine and choose its distribution in a way that best serves those most threatened, not those who most want it.

[Anonymous]

Seriously OP, you must not being paying any attention to the health care debate. The best part of your argument is that most of the delay with the vaccines appears to be due to private companies that are developing, manufacturing and supplying the vaccine and their inability to get the amount of vaccines to the federal government within the time line that they originally said they could.

If anything, it makes a stronger argument for the government to have more involvement in the production of vaccines and health care in general.

[Anonymous]

It is not rationing if the vaccine is equally available to everyone in a high risk group, at the same time, through the same system, for no cost.

It would be rationing if the vaccine were only available to those who could afford to pay $150 to get it. Kind of like health care works now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's what this is, right? We wait in long lines hoping to be lucky enough to get our "free" shot. I would gladly pay $150 to make an appointment rather than wait with my high energy, low tolerance autism spectrum child on an endless line only to find out the quota for the day was reached. Is this a foreshadowing of what is to come if we let the government take over healthcare?

If the government was not involved, you would be in a worse situation. The free market does not demand influenza vaccines in enough quantity to have adequate manufacturing capacity for the times you are afraid. So the vaccine would still be scarce. But without government intervention, the vaccine supply would be worse.

On top of it, you would go to your Dr, who would be willing to charge you the $150, but your doctor wouldn't be able to get his hands on it because some other doctor would be sitting on a stockpile of the stuff because he ordered more than he needed. Meanwhile, the elderly (the few people who seem to get influenza vaccinations), would get it because plenty of them can pay for it, even though they are the least likely to need it.

The free market is really, really bad at handling improbable events like disasters or pandemics. Governments have a function, even if you believe in small government, and this is one of them.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I care about those who can't pay top dollar for a plan and I also care about those with disabilities, like my own child. I actually respected the guidelines for vaccinations, unlike a number of people. I didn't lie about age or hop over to another county. My son IS in a high risk group, but in my county there were so few vaccines that the clinic I planned to go to decreased the age limit so we could not go. From what I hear plenty of people ignored those guidelines. I would GLADLY pay $150 because I have a son who CANNOT wait in lines without major tantrums or running off. Do I have money to throw around? NO. The clinics have expanded the age group, but from what I hear you wait on line for several hours long before the clinic opens. My son cannot do that safely.

[Anonymous]

OP again...Forget the whole government rationing thing. I have a fever and am not thinking clearly. I do think something needs to be done to take into consideration the needs of those with disabilities and perhaps those of us who care for those with disabilities should be given some preference as well. I am one of the only people who can care for my child. For those of you who don't get being willing to spend $150 to get the shot, I wish you could experience ASD for a week. This is NOT about merely being "incovenienced." This is about keeping a child safe. Give the shots to high risk groups, but let high risk people pay if they want an appointment or for those who cannot pay have a Drs. note explain the need for an appointment.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:OP again...Forget the whole government rationing thing. I have a fever and am not thinking clearly. I do think something needs to be done to take into consideration the needs of those with disabilities and perhaps those of us who care for those with disabilities should be given some preference as well. I am one of the only people who can care for my child. For those of you who don't get being willing to spend $150 to get the shot, I wish you could experience ASD for a week. This is NOT about merely being "incovenienced." This is about keeping a child safe. Give the shots to high risk groups, but let high risk people pay if they want an appointment or for those who cannot pay have a Drs. note explain the need for an appointment.

If you identify your geographic area, maybe somebody here knows a place near by that doesn't have long lines. I know that when my wife took our kids to Coolidge High School, there was almost no line.

[Anonymous]

Frankly, I think appointments are a great idea. I guess it's not something any of the local jurisdictions can grasp as a concept. Triage via phone when you make the appointment, and then take those priority people without all the fanfare. PG county has started doing this. Wow, too bad it took MoCo so long to figure it out, and then only with pregnant women.

[Anonymous]

We live in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I care about those who can't pay top dollar for a plan and I also care about those with disabilities, like my own child. I actually respected the guidelines for vaccinations, unlike a number of people. I didn't lie about age or hop over to another county. My son IS in a high risk group, but in my county there were so few vaccines that the clinic I planned to go to decreased the age limit so we could not go. From what I hear plenty of people ignored those guidelines. I would GLADLY pay $150 because I have a son who CANNOT wait in lines without major tantrums or running off. Do I have money to throw around? NO. The clinics have expanded the age group, but from what I hear you wait on line for several hours long before the clinic opens. My son cannot do that safely.

Go to DC. They have vaccine. Check to see if your child will qualify. Their clinics have been very good overall, especially the Saturday ones. Also, more vaccine is promised for the coming week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Fairfax.

Fairfax is now offering vaccine for children under 6 years of age. They just widened the age range. Does DS qualify?

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I think appointments are a great idea. I guess it's not something any of the local jurisdictions can grasp as a concept. Triage via phone when you make the appointment, and then take those priority people without all the fanfare. PG county has started doing this. Wow, too bad it took MoCo so long to figure it out, and then only with pregnant women.

It's difficult to take 1,000 appointments in a week. You would be angry at the hold time just to get to a receptionist.