Time To Update The Resume?

Posted on September 17, 2009
Filed Under Medical Rantings, Political Rantings |

It is amazing the amount of disinformation spread by the Obama administration regarding their proposed takeover of the healthcare system. Unfortunately, the American Medical Association (called last month to cancel my membership) is giving cover to Obama by supporting the generalities of the plan. It is not my impression that most physicians agree with the takeover and Investors Business Daily has a piece that seems to confirm my impression.

Two of every three practicing physicians oppose the medical overhaul plan under consideration in Washington, and hundreds of thousands would think about shutting down their practices or retiring early if it were adopted, a new IBD/TIPP Poll has found.
The poll contradicts the claims of not only the White House, but also doctors’ own lobby — the powerful American Medical Association — both of which suggest the medical profession is behind the proposed overhaul.
It also calls into question whether an overhaul is even doable; 72% of the doctors polled disagree with the administration’s claim that the government can cover 47 million more people with better-quality care at lower cost.

Two-thirds, or 65%, of doctors say they oppose the proposed government expansion plan. This contradicts the administration’s claims that doctors are part of an “unprecedented coalition” supporting a medical overhaul.

Four of nine doctors, or 45%, said they “would consider leaving their practice or taking an early retirement” if Congress passes the plan the Democratic majority and White House have in mind.

Do I think that 45% of physicians would quit if Obamacare is implemented? No, at least not right away. But there would be a gradual loss not only of quantity but also quality of those delivering medical care in America. Four years of college, four years of medical school, four years of resident training and perhaps one to three additional years of fellowship training is standard training for a medical degree. Then there are the specialty board exams. So we have at least 12 years of post-secondary schooling, perhaps $100,000 or more in tuition and educational debt for what? Does anyone really think that the best and brightest minds are going to be attracted to medicine to receive mediocre pay and take orders from some cost cutting bean counter? I don’t think so. Such is not the nature of the human psyche. We will see a migration of care to so called “mid-level” providers (Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.) And what about waiting times.

Does anyone think that more patients, less pay and less control over a doctor’s practice is going to improve access to medical care? It is the curse that has awaited every other government run healthcare in the world.