Also, don’t label the HSA stuff as “Reform” as though it’s an Obama creation. The entire HSA toolkit was invented in the Bush Whitehouse. It was actually a brilliant way to pump billions into the market…too bad so many HSA accounts got killed by the crash.

Word on the street is that they have one SMALL site using the system within the Wisconsin area, but nothing major yet. I’ve also heard that they are beefing up the development team while including the licensing right to the module within ALL of their enterprise licensing agreements. Also heard is that the functionality is being somewhat oversold compared to actual capability with no desire to develop certain aspects of a full-scale laboratory’s needs, Blood Bank to name but one.

From a marketing standpoint, I’m personally curious to know who came up with the “Beaker” name? Most laboratories I’ve been in do not use beakers unless it is some type of a research facility, but maybe I’m missing something. Could this be a reference to the muppets character that is a hapless assistant to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew? Definitely not what I would like to have to explain away during a sales call or demonstration, but that’s just me.

[From Mr. HIStalk] It’s actually Carl, as in Emerson, Lake, and Palmer.

Then these same patients can’t pay $500-$1000 for a 3 month supply of medication that isn’t considered “maintenance” and if you don’t know healthcare enough to ask the right questions and “shop around” (yes, call 10 pharmacies) or determine if it’s cheaper to do the 90 day mail in – which by the way, on a drug per drug basis – it is not always the case. I make decent money; but, in my opinion many people are not seeking early treatment because now, even the middle class has trouble coming up with a chunk of cash. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the “ask your doctor to write a dosage for a 2mg tablet and then split it”. Hello…malpractice just waiting to happen, when someone takes the whole pill by accident if it’s something that double the dose could cause problems. By the way, even buying a higher dosage pill and splitting it will cost you more – guaranteed.

I thought all of this was to stop unneccessary usage of ERs and reduce medical costs – all it’s doing is delaying treatment or people not taking their meds. It’s bad enough that it’s taken reform to help those that couldn’t afford it in the first place – but, just wait until your company decides that a high deductible plan is a great way to make you healthier by forcing you to create a healthy lifestyle.

I’m thinking if some people don’t take their meds – there could be a lot of people going postal or getting more ill – hey, healthcare costs rise so that doctors can play catch-up in diagnosing an illness that has caused irreperable damage because of the delay in seeinga doctor. And still, doctors don’t get paid enough, patients still pay a truckload of money to get treatment and are more ill than they might have been had they sought treatment earlier.

Reform? Ha.