Sideline Money, Sideline Docs. [No 0bama = More docs]

M.D.O.D. ^ | October 30, 2012 | 911Doc

[Slings and Arrows]

Talk to an investment guy, talk to a real estate gal, talk to a banker and you will hear that there's scads of money 'on the sidelines' pending the election. Conventional wisdom amongst most of the money folks is that a Romney win will be a quick and clear signal for people to invest again in the private sector. I hope it's true. It feels true.

But there is something no one is talking about, and that's the 'sideline doctors'. Every single physician in this country is watching this election with keen interest. For many it will be the deciding factor in whether they practice to retirement or they retire early and cut back on work  (under Obamacare).

Academic physicians are the only ones I have met who are consistently FOR Obamacare. The ones who will be honest with me are scary statists, and I would dearly love to punch them in the nose. It is, I think, the only thing they would understand.

So just like with investments, real estate, and finance in general, medicine also has TONS of it's resources now 'on the sidelines'. Hard to plan for the future when you don't know what the rules will be. Hard to start a practice, much less build one, when you aren't sure what Obamacare will mean to your bottom line. Hard to commit to the hardest profession in the world when it might mean that you work for a government flunkie (with a G.E.D.) reading from a manual, and lecturing you about compassion and diversity. Again, punching in the face seems one's only option here and doctors are averse, as a rule, to going to re-education camps.

In all seriousness. If Romney wins and Obamacare is scrapped then I predict the following.

1. The impending doctor shortage will be averted by physicians choosing to continue practice, or return to practice. Also, applications to medical schools will boom.
2. Research and development of new treatments and drugs will take off.
3. Many who are now choosing to become Physician Assistants may reconsider and go to medical school.
4. The left will have a seizure.

Because of # 4 above and because there is a large portion (20% ?) of citizens and illegal aliens who will continue to favor beer, cigarettes, and cell phones over health insurance,  I think Romney will have to replace it with something.

But that something, while it will no doubt have it's problems, will not turn the great American health care system into the N.H.S., or Brazil.

Go Mitt

[Slings and Arrows]

From his mouth to G-d's ears.

[jsanders2001]

It is true. Money is being held back pending the outcome offend election. I am told this every week while marketing trying to earn enough $$ just to stay afloat as a small businessman. The last 2 years have been my absolute worst in all the years I’ve been self-employed. Before 0 was in office I made a very good living. It’s been steadily declining ever since he arrived at the WH in 2008.

[jsanders2001]

It is true. Money is being held back pending the outcome of the election. I am told this every week while marketing trying to earn enough $$ just to stay afloat as a small businessman. The last 2 years have been my absolute worst in all the years I’ve been self-employed. Before 0 was in office I made a very good living. It’s been steadily declining ever since he arrived at the WH in 2008.