More insurers paying for alternative remedies

More stupidity leading to increased sick care insurance costs.

"Acupuncture, not pain pills that 'make me loopy,' is what Cynde Durnford-Branecki wants for her aching back, and a treatment costs her only a $20 copayment.

'If I didn't have insurance, there's no way I could afford to go,' said the 51-year-old graphic designer who lives in San Diego.

After years of being lobbied for more choice, insurers and employers increasingly are covering alternative therapies. There are even alternative 'HMOs' — networks of nontraditional providers that sell services to big employers and individuals."

Cynde is loopy with or without pain pills.

And appropriately named "Dumb-ford." (hat tip to Oscar Wilde)

After more than 10 years and $2.5 billion spent, no one has found an alternative therapy that worked.

Except to enrich alternative care "practitioners."

"Choice may sound like a good idea, but it can lead more people to use remedies they may not realize are of unproven value. It also can mean the people who use those treatments will wind up paying for them, rather than have their insurer pay for proven remedies."

Good.

Serves them right.

The rest of us should not pay for the loopiness of the others.

Deer penis, anyone?