Don Nixdorf - BC Chiropractic Association - Squandering Billions
Wednesday, May 27 2009 @ 11:07 AM PDT
David spent over 2 hours talking to Don Nixdorf, executive director of the BC Chiropractic Association, about topics ranging from the book Sqandering Billions to Don's time working with the Disability Pension Plan.
You'll find Don's insights into our health care systems - both US and Canada - to be right on the money.
Alternatives to traditional medical interventions (surgery, drugs, etc.) have proven both practical and cost effective - why are they not getting better press and more use?
There's good evidence that Michael Moore's movie, Sicko, was spawned by Michael's receiving Squandering Billions.
Don and David talk about the differences between US and Canadian health care - lots of people losing their homes in the US despite having health care for example, vs. nobody in Canada losing their home for similar reason.
The big picture about hospitals and the fact that emergency services in both countries really are "truly shining" - it is the inefficiencies in the rest of the system that are the problem.
2004 figure for preventable deaths in the health care system was 25,000 in Canada. Compare this burried statistic to the huge hooraw over auto deaths and losing a soldier in Afganastan!
Quality, Performance, Outcomes, Safety - these are the criteria we are not measuring in our health care system.
"It's a turf war" sums it up - Doctors don't want to allow their patients to see the alternatives, even thought they know the procedures are effective.
"We want people to be informed and empowered so they can make their own choice"
Don is also on the Canada Pension Plan Disability Review Board. Don's knowledge of this board and his opinion of how this vital service to the Canadian public works are worth listening to. "I was stunned by the overwhelming commitment of these people to want to serve Canadians..."
You can contact Don Nixdorf at:
dnixdorf@allstream.net
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