The article "The Health-Care Myths We Live By" - Assignment Example

Healthcare Myths We Live By First, Krauthammer challenges commonly held beliefs that the benefits of antioxidant-rich foods such as frozen berries and green tea are universal. In fact, most people assume that taking excess doses of antioxidant-rich foods in the form of supplements is beneficial. However, credible evidence reveals that this is not true. According to scientific research, high doses of antioxidant-rich foods may do more harm than good in patients with cancer-related problems (Krauthammer 1).

Krauthammer refers to a study by Guallar et al. showing that antioxidant-rich foods lower the risk of contracting chronic diseases. According to the study by Guallar et al., Beta-carotene, Vitamin E and high doses of vitamin A supplements are harmful. In addition, other more antioxidants, such as folic acid, Vitamin Bs, multivitamin and mineral supplements are not effective in improving and protecting human life due to major chronic diseases (Guallar et al. 850). The research by Guallar et al.

has justification to support Krauthammer’s standpoint that all the supplements are ineffective because of their baseless prevention trials. Second, Krauthammer challenges a commonly held belief that Medicaid improves quality health care provision to low-income earners. He criticizes the introduction of Medicaid and its influence on the delivery of quality health services. In support of his claim, Krauthammer refers to a study by Baicker et al. According to the study, the Oregon initiated a limited plan of the Medicaid for low-income adults.

Through the lottery, approximately 30,000 beneficiaries had the opportunity to apply for Medicaid and enrolled if they met the requirements (Baicker et al. 1715). However, irrespective of efforts to invest in Medicaid coverage there were no significant improvements in the measured physical health outcomes in recent years of luncheon. The study justifies Krauthammer’s claims that Medicaid is ineffective in improving contact between patients and doctors. Work CitedBaicker, Katherine., Taubman, Sarah.

, Allen, Heidi., Bernstein, Mira., Gruber, Jonathan., Newhouse, Joseph., Schneider, Eric., Wright, Bill., Zaslavsky, Alan and Finkelstein, Amy. "The Oregon experiment—effects of Medicaid on clinical outcomes." New England Journal of Medicine 368.18 (2013): 1713-1722. Guallar, Eliseo., Stranges, Saverio., Mulrow, Cynthia., Appel, Lawrence and Miller, Edgar. "Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money On Vitamin And Mineral Supplements." Annals of Internal Medicine 159.12 (2013): 850-851.Krauthammer, Charles.

“The Health-care Myths We lives by.” The Washington Post. Feb. 6 2014. Web. Feb 10, 2015. < http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-the-health-care-myths-we-live-by/2014/02/06/8a74d7b2-8f66-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html>.