Health Reporting Comes Up Short

I am a member of Kaiser HMO. During the 20 plus years I've been a member, they have never discussed costs of treatments, the "effectiveness" of the treatments they've prescribed, discussed the quality of scientific evidence for the treatment and very seldom discussed the treatment alternatives or the potential harms from treatments. I hope your article will lead 'health news organizations to revaluate their practices" too and perhaps they'll help consumers to understand the health care organizations better as well. Does John Hopkins discuss and/or publish their effectiveness of treatments, cost and "quality" of scientific evidence with their patients? I hope so.

The role of health news to report new break-throughs, reporting on safety issues with existing prescription medications and quality of scientific evidence cannot be overstated.

The best interest of the patient(consumer)is served when their doctor provides the type of information they need to make informed decisions about medical tests, products, and procedures. Matters addressing the costs of treatments, whether it is more effective to stay with standard treatment or to try new medications, risk of side effest to benefit and treatment alternatives are within the parameters of the doctor/patient relationship. The role of health news to report new break-throughs, reporting on safety issues with existing prescription medications and quality of scientific evidence cannot be overstated.

The real question is whether the medical profession isshifting its' responsibilities onto health media because of time constraints placed on them bythe insurance industry.

The role of health news to report new break-throughs, reporting on safety issues with existing prescription medications and quality of scientific evidence cannot be overstated. However, the best interest of the patient(consumer)is served when their doctor provides the type of information they need to make informed decisions about medical tests, products, and procedures. Matters addressing the costs of treatments, whether it is more effective to stay with standard treatment or to try new medications, risk of side effest to benefit and treatment alternatives are within the parameters of the doctor/patient relationship.

The real question is whether the medical profession is shifting its' responsibilities onto the health media because of time constraints placed on them by the insurance industry.

I recently read a report about "statin" medications for cholesterol control that indicated that "if you are taking any statin medications you should stop" taking it because of the all of the bad effects it has on your system. I have been taking "lovastatin" for several years and my doctor has told me that my liver and cholesterol tests are always normal. Should I be concerned or contunue taking "lovastatin"?

EARNEY WRIGHT email = averyw@juno.com

I recently read a report about "statin" medications for cholesterol control that indicated that "if you are taking any statin medications you should stop" taking it because of the all of the bad effects it has on your system. I have been taking "lovastatin" for several years and my doctor has told me that my liver and cholesterol tests are always normal. Should I be concerned or contunue taking "lovastatin"?

EARNEY WRIGHT email = averyw@juno.com

I recently read a report about "statin" medications for cholesterol control that indicated that "if you are taking any statin medications you should stop" taking it because of the all of the bad effects it has on your system. I have been taking "lovastatin" for several years and my doctor has told me that my liver and cholesterol tests are always normal. Should I be concerned or contunue taking "lovastatin"?

EARNEY WRIGHT email = averyw@juno.com