That kind of elitist snobbery is one of the reasons the conservatives are losing support AND elections. Ever think that maybe too many in the medical profession are just plain greedy?? And that goes for “big pharmo” too.
What ‘elitist snobbery’? It’s called taking responsibility for your own actions and wellbeing.
If you believe that the problem is that ‘too many in the medical profession are just plain greedy’, you are not only ignorant, but you are posting to the wrong website.
Yeah, that must be it. It's a good thing a Washington bureaucrat will soon be able to decide what those in the medical profession and big pharma a "truly worth". After all, a small group of government workers must be able to set rates better than the free market, right?
The mask comes off - you’re just a big lib looking for someone else to pay for your care. And always finding a demon that you can attack.
Physician incomes have been declining in recent years as Medicaid payments are reduced and reduced. Physcians also have constantly increasing insurance premiums - thanks to lawsuit abuse.
((((From Hugh Hewitt’s Blog)))
Hugh:
I read the email you posted from Dr. L and had to echo his comments. I’m a urologist in Pennsylvania in a four man group. One is retiring soon, at age 64. I have 2 partners in their 50’s, and I’m in my late 30’s. My partners in their 50’s constantly refer to their desire to retire early. I like to think right now I’m going to practice as long as I can.
However, there seems to be a growing recognition among everyone that I speak to that the “goose that laid the golden egg” is dead already. Very few urologists locally are doing well financially. The unreimbursed costs related to such as prior authrorizations, electronic medical records, massive amounts of phone calls/prescription requests are eating away at our bottom line. Our income is at lower levels now than 10 years ago, and the burden of practice is increasing yearly.
Not one physician over 50 I’ve spoken to thinks medical practice (not income) is as satisfying as it used to be. And most I’ve come across will admit if asked that they wouldn’t recommend it as a profession to their children.
And, with the new emphasis with limiting work hours for residents, most new MD’s will admit that participating in family life and developing personal interests take precedence over the identity of being a hardworking, hard-driving productive physician.
I fear for the future of my profession. Physicians have been squeezed for so long that we’re just sick as hell. And we won’t take it forever.
Despite the fact that perhaps 15% of healthcare expenditures go to physician compensation, it’s the convenient target. Hospitals, private payors and Pharma are very effective in the political arena. The AMA, looked upon by the uninitiated as the’voice of American medicine’ is nothing of the kind. We, frankly haven’t the time, nor often the inclination to participate in the political wrangling; many of the ‘thought leaders’ in medicine are academics, whose goals are often diametrically opposite the more than 80% of physicians who practice in the private, nonuniversity sector.
And when you attack “big pharmo” a non-liberal (non-intellectually challenged) would understand that you are attacking an industry which has made miraculous strides in developing new treatements for people. It does cost money, but there are payoffs in terms of surgeries avoided and lifestyle improvements.
You take the greedy researchers who are developing the next miracle and take away their incomes....what happens?
No more new drugs. Do you think its a coincedence that all the advances in pharmaceuticals come from the US and not Europe where they have socialized medicine?
Ok, you win. Send me your address and I will pay for your health care - just don’t consider me your equal when you are dependently demanding I carry you.