Ms calculations
There's an excellent editorial in the Herald today which expresses a lot of how I feel on the subject of Herceptin funding.
I'm not a flinty-hearted bastard who thinks breast cancer and its sufferers are unimportant, but with regards to how a twelve-month course of the medication came to be funded in an election year, I'm wary about a few things.
First, I don't believe that medical funding decisions should be taken out of Pharmac's hands and politicised to gain votes, which is arguably what happened when National attached itself to this emotive issue. Pharmac has been given the responsibility to source affordable medicines for Kiwis, and they do it well – for the most part – with the limited budget and constraints they have. They make their decisions based on costs, effectiveness and availability, and I don't envy some of the tough choices they face with expensive new drugs. Invariably some people lose out. Occasionally they make mistakes, but in that case a review would be more appropriate than a wholesale arrogation of their duties.
Second, I don't think powerful multinational pharmaceutical companies - such as Roche, which makes Herceptin - should be able to influence the government's decisions when they stand to profit from the sales. One of the objectives of establishing Pharmac was to prevent the government from being prey to corporate lobbyists, and in that regard it has been good. In New Zealand's case, Roche was instumental in funding the campaign for 12 month Herceptin – a fact which most people are unaware of.
Third, well, I read a quote which sums it up best: if you have a limited budget and you eat caviar on Monday, then you can expect to eat bread and water by Friday. Pharmac does its job trying to balance the needs of the many with the needs of the few. If this shows us anything, maybe it's that the funding of high-priced and experimental medicines should fall to a separate authority with its own special budget. Then no one could say that others are losing out when some high-profile diseases have primacy over others.
I tied this in with the story about Kiwi kids faring poorly with other countries in math and sciences, but considering National's decision probably helped them win the election, maybe they're not so bad at calculating things after all.
I hate catching mistakes after my cartoons have been published, and here's one I only noticed when I was composing this blog: I forgot to draw the arm on the left side of the crocodile's glasses. Doh! I'm sure no one noticed but this drives me nuts when it happens.
As for the idea, it came to me as I was reading an article about Zimbabwe's current woes and it mentioned Mugabe's nickname, "The Crocodile". I was thinking of how useless mediation and talks have been in removing this murderous despot from power, and the thought of using a feather to tickle such a great beast as a croc seemed like a good analogy.
I don't know what it will take for him to release his grip – probably a military coup – but unfortunately his lieutenants are as complicit as him in ruining their country, so they'd surely be held accountable even if Mugabe was deposed. For them it's best to stick with the devil they know, and meanwhile the country continues its descent into hell.
It looks as if National now wants to extend the 90-day probation period to all businesses and not just small employers, which exposes their true intent and reveals their new legislation as just the thin end of a wedge. Hate to say I told you so ...
As I said in a reply on my blog, why can't we just simplify the appeal/arbitration process in employee/employer disputes, cut the costs for small businesses and maybe shift the burden of proof if it's too onerous on one party or the other? That seems a much more sensible way to deal with this problem than discouraging employees to gamble on new jobs, which is certainly what will happen now.
Finally, divorce update for week ending December 12. I have a message for anyone who might be going through a similar thing:
It gets better. After the initial hellish shock and sense of disorientation, you'll find your feet and get on with things. I've completely compartmentalised all the emotional stuff and put it in a box for later, when I have some perspective and feel strong enough to deal with it. But for now I'm focusing on the day-to-day tasks, and enjoying a bit of freedom. Children infinitely complicate matters, but I've been inspired by how well they're coping and it only makes me try harder.
Back yourself. Don't lose faith that things will be all right. Start planning for a better future and allow yourself to be excited by the possibilities. Already I've found a new studio in a dream location, we're selling our house and freeing up a lot of cash, and for the first time in almost seven years I'm seizing control of both my life and my finances. I don't have to be a part of anyone else's riduculous head games any longer, and that feels bloody fantastic. I feel unencumbered and positively buoyant, even if it's tinged with sadness sometimes.
Think of a highwire. Don't look down and keep your eyes on the other side. You'll get there, just as I will too.
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Gee Mike, you've really got an axe to grind with this new government havent you? 90% of your cartoons over the past few weeks are a dig at National, at least they are getting on and doing something about the socialist state the past governemnet turned New Zealand into!
You reckon, Slick? Honestly, I try to focus on the issues and avoid being an ideologue. Nobody likes people who preach at them. I think if you look at the cartoons where I've criticised the new government you'll see that they're also subjects where I criticised National when it was in opposition. I can't help that. I have my viewpoints as does everyone else, but I try to be fair and thoughtful. In the last days of the Labour government I think I gave them quite a bit of grief on a lot of subjects too. Ideally, an editorial cartoonist is an equal opportunity lampoonist, and that's what I aspire to. But with a new government making so many waves it's hard not to turn my attention to what they're doing. Mike
Hey Mike, thanks for the 3.30am entertainment. Glad to see you had something to say about this issue and that you can examine the actions and motivations of more than one political group.
Fair enough Mike, mind you now that government is sitting for the last time on Thursday it will be interesting what grabs your attention over the holidays! Hopefully the cricketers can suprise us with a few inspiring performances and there are some positive issues to toon on.
Have a great Christmas all!
Hi Mike, I only read recently about your divorce. All I can say after being through this myself is hang in there. I recommend for the sake of peace and the kids that you try and do everything possible to remain on amicable terms with your ex as this will simplify everything for you. I have been very lucky in that respect. As you say, it does get better and life moves on. Keep up the good work and ease off a little on National.. at least till mid term when they have had a chance to settle down, do things properly and then still make a mess up... :0) Love your cartoons and hate to miss any of them, so keep up the good work
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When it comes to catching mistakes, Mike, how come you missed the obvious one in the Herceptin cartoon? It's maths, not math (though I see that the Press carried a corrected version). This comes after you used "yield" in place of "give way" (referring to driving) in another cartoon. I know you've got a lot on your mind, mate, and my thoughts and sympathies are with you, but please, please, please stick with Kiwi English. Otherwise, nice work.