Essay on "Second Opinions for Tough"

Quoted Instructions for "Second Opinions for Tough" Assignment:

This is a Health Research Article: Research Topic:

"Second medical opinion- a patient’s right and a health system money saving resource"

The number one cause of medical malpractice in the U.S. is medical misdiagnose. Asking another doctor can help catch misdiagnoses or prevent unnecessary treatments, but they can also be a waste of time and resources. At this time, not all health plans cover a medical second opinion, which becomes a self-pay service, making almost impossible for vulnerable people to receive one. Also the more fortunate patients might find themselves with too many options and too little guidance in choosing their second medical opinion. The US health care system is run like a business, increasingly focused on generating income for insurers and providers rather than providing care for patients.

Helpful bibliography that might help complement the article: • “WHO GETS SECOND OPINIONS?” By Drs. Wagner, Sept 99, Health affairs http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/18/5/137.full.pdf+html • “Firms seek medical second opinion” By Joanne Wojcik- http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20111204/NEWS05/312049987?tags=%7C74%7C305%7C339%7C342 • “MARKET BASED FAILURE- A SECOND OPINON ON US HEALTH CARE COST”- http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0800265

LEGISLATION & LAWS • H.R. 2457 (111th): Right to a Second Medical Opinion Act of 2009 - http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr2457 • The Family Leave Act (FLA): http://www.dol.gov./whd/regs/compliance/1421.htm • The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)- http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-feca.htm

Include the answers to these questions in the article:

1. Explain and compare the 2 active legislation (State (FLA) & Federal (FECA)) and the H.R 2457 that was proposed in 2009. How can we mix those (3 legislations) and create a better second medical opinion regulation. 2. Why Second Medical Opinion should be a patient’s right? 3. How Second Medical Opinion will help save money to the Health Care Industry? (Health Insurance Companies, Physicians and Patients)