May 19, 2009
Graphic Metaphor
If Michael Steele cannot turn this into a good GOP commercial, he really does have to step down.
At issue are "virtual colonoscopies," or CT scans of the abdomen. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of U.S. cancer death but one of the most preventable. Found early, the cure rate is 93%, but only 8% at later stages. Virtual colonoscopies are likely to boost screenings because they are quicker, more comfortable and significantly cheaper than the standard "optical" procedure, which involves anesthesia and threading an endoscope through the lower intestine.
The WSJ Ed Page is making a serious point about allowing the government to ration health care. Once they decide that a it's cheaper to rotorooter everyone's ass (it's part of serious political commentary -- I don't say these things to be prurient!) than the less intrusive procedure will go away.
Chairman Steele, it's up to you, although a YouTube® contest inviting people to submit their own ads might be a start...