H1N1 Pandemic Status

[teamnelson]

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

Its interesting to me that this seems to be a byline in the news now. Not to be too grim but I guess we all figure that the wonders of modern medicine and government imposed procedures will protect us. In previous centuries these decimated the population to the tune of millions ... kinda makes health care reform a moot point.

[torpedoman]

the last flu epidemic in 1918 killed more people than all the wars added up. This flu is following the same path it took, a few cases one year, followed by a few cases here and there until flu season came around again then it really took hold killing millions. Lets hope that it does not continue to minic the 1918 version.

[teamnelson]

TM7, the goal of Obama's HC reform is to expand services for a larger population than is currently served. The potential effect of a pandemic is to reduce the size of the population requiring services, particularly those that use a proportionately larger amount of HC services like the very young, the very old and the infirm.

Even in a developed nation such as ours, with advanced HC services in place, while our population might not be decimated as it may in the undeveloped nations, the short term HC requirements to treat, and assist a population such as ours will tie up focus, energy and $ for the duration of the pandemic. Which yes will impact the current and perhaps next administrations ability to completely address HC reform.

Tyranny of the urgent.