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Health overhaul likely to strain doctor shortage
Associated Press ^

Posted on 03/28/2010 12:33:00 PM PDT by AlanD

Better beat the crowd and find a doctor. Primary care physicians already are in short supply in parts of the country, and the landmark health overhaul that will bring them millions more newly insured patients in the next few years promises extra strain.

The new law goes beyond offering coverage to the uninsured, with steps to improve the quality of care for the average person and help keep us well instead of today's seek-care-after-you're-sick culture. To benefit, you'll need a regular health provider.

Yet recently published reports predict a shortfall of roughly 40,000 primary care doctors over the next decade, a field losing out to the better pay, better hours and higher profile of many other specialties.

====

Massachusetts offers a snapshot of how giving more people insurance naturally drives demand. The Massachusetts Medical Society last fall reported just over half of internists and 40 percent of family and general practitioners weren't accepting new patients, an increase in recent years as the state implemented nearly universal coverage.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
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1 posted on 03/28/2010 12:33:00 PM PDT by AlanD
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To: AlanD
Health overhaul likely to strain doctor shortage

NS,S.

2 posted on 03/28/2010 12:33:44 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Obama goes on long after the thrill of Obama is gone)
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To: AlanD

Well, duh! Should have mentioned that before.


3 posted on 03/28/2010 12:34:26 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: AlanD

Or, better yet, refuse the gov. mandate and find a doctor who will take cash payment.


4 posted on 03/28/2010 12:34:31 PM PDT by Lorianne
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To: AlanD

What an absolute load of crap!

How are you going to improve health by everyone going to the doctor preemptively all the time -

IF THERE AREN’T ENOUGH DOCTORS AND YOU CAN’T SEE ONE, MUCH LESS IN ADVANCE!!??

And, it’s total bullcrap that this approach would work even IF there were enough doctors. Doctors can’t stop overreating, etc. and most cancer, heart disease, etc. is genetic. Not to mention accidents not related to lifestyle.

Oy


5 posted on 03/28/2010 12:37:06 PM PDT by Williams (It's the policies, stupid)
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To: AlanD

This reporter will soon be called before Waxman’s Energy & Commerce Committee. A story such as this is seditious behavior.


6 posted on 03/28/2010 12:37:13 PM PDT by BOBTHENAILER ( EPA will rule your life)
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To: Lorianne

Did anyone notice that really smug (sort of evil) smile that Obama had on his face while he was signing the healthcare reform bill?


7 posted on 03/28/2010 12:37:31 PM PDT by AlanD
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To: BOBTHENAILER

No, it’s cool. AP held the story until after Obama signed the legislation.


8 posted on 03/28/2010 12:38:20 PM PDT by AlanD
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To: AlanD

Look for more generic walk-in “doc-in-a-box” urgent treatment centers. Look for your doctor to struggle with English.


9 posted on 03/28/2010 12:39:15 PM PDT by Sender (It's never too late to be who you could have been.)
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To: AlanD

Where were the HEARINGS that Congress never held so experts could have commented on whether this utopian nightmare actually works.

Hearing would go like this: “Well, yes, frequent doctors visits would help some people live healthier - IF there were enough doctors, if you can get an appointment, if you go, if you listen to them, if you aren’t genetically predisposed, if you aren’t in an accident, unfortunately for most people none of this will be true, especially because of the first ‘If’ “.


10 posted on 03/28/2010 12:39:55 PM PDT by Williams (It's the policies, stupid)
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To: AlanD

So now we already have the doctor shortages and long waits that the media said wouldn’t happen.

Incredible. For Good God’s sake repeal this nightmare!


11 posted on 03/28/2010 12:41:09 PM PDT by Williams (It's the policies, stupid)
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To: Sender

If you read the rest of the article, you will find out that it is going to be impossbile to see a doctor in the future . . you will most likely get a Registered Nurse or Practitioner instead.


12 posted on 03/28/2010 12:42:07 PM PDT by AlanD
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To: AlanD

If you are a PCP, SPECIALIZE!

Do not work as PCP, you will REGRET IT, GUARANTEED.

If you want to be just another useless Government bureaucrat rather than a physician who can actually do something good and worthy for humanity, work as a Primary Care Physician.


13 posted on 03/28/2010 12:43:45 PM PDT by TheDailyChange (Politics,Conservatism,Liberalism)
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To: Lorianne

Cash payments?

Visit MDVIP.COM to learn more.


14 posted on 03/28/2010 12:44:30 PM PDT by TheDailyChange (Politics,Conservatism,Liberalism)
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To: Brilliant
Its funny that only now are the Main-Streamers adequately critiquing the health care overhaul. Before it was all Obama vs. the evil Republicans. Later on, of course, the media will say that dissected the legislation. Don't bother closing the barn door now!
15 posted on 03/28/2010 12:47:20 PM PDT by fhayek
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To: AlanD

The news only talk about primary care doctors, internists. They are avoiding the draconian effects on specialists. We could lose more than half of our specialists in only a few years. Administration advisers have been quoted as thinking that with full implementation of the public-option, only 10% of specialists would be employed, on salary, unionized. The rest, not needed, and not supplied by patients with private health insurance would be assumed to be not practicing as private practitioners. Patients with govt ins would not be allowed to see a non-salaried MD.


16 posted on 03/28/2010 12:58:27 PM PDT by givemELL (Does Taiwan Meet the Criteria to Qualify as an "Overseas Territory of the United States"? by Richar)
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To: TheDailyChange

The politics of this is fascinating.

Is this a ticket back to the majority for the GOP?

Or will people be seduced by “free” medical care as they have been in England and Canada?

Obama thinks the latter.


17 posted on 03/28/2010 12:58:57 PM PDT by AlanD
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To: Williams

Good luck seeing a doctor. If you are lucky you will speak to a L.P.N. or R.N.


18 posted on 03/28/2010 1:01:23 PM PDT by AlanD
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To: AlanD

My recollection is that a Russian author addressed this problem in the past:

‘Before the revolution, an old woman would turn each ruble in her hands ten times before going to the doctor ... but when she needed to go, the doctor was ready to see her. After the revolution, the old woman would go for every complaint ... and would never be able to find a doctor when she needed him.’

I can’t remember the source of the quote, and can’t find it on Google. If any of you know this quote, please let me know the source.


19 posted on 03/28/2010 1:03:09 PM PDT by Jubal Harshaw
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To: AlanD

Ya think?


20 posted on 03/28/2010 1:06:16 PM PDT by JPG (Mr. Gore, we have a warrant for your arrest...put your hands behind your back.)
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