Take this with no disrespect. My father died in 96 and never a day goes by that I don’t think fondly of him. Dad went to doctors, maybe once a decade and never took any medications. He died with pneumonia at 85 but his mind was gone. To the best of my knowledge, Drs. don’t get paid by drug companies nor do they make money from medications, however, they do provide drugs for every complaint. It seems the planet was populated by 4 billion people before the so-called “healthcare crisis” ever came along in the mind of some sniveling politician. My Dad never had insurance because he self-insured by taking care of himself and when he went to the Doctor he paid cash. I actually think my mother-in-law enjoys going to the doctor — her health issues are all she talks about and every ailment from sneezing, to rashes, to GI upset is a crisis that requires immediate physician attendance.
I have several friends and a few relatives that are physicians — they are all good people and they work very long and arduous hours. I don’t see that Drs. are overpaid and in general most are very good people. If you want to see overpaid, look to entertainers, and shyster lawyers, not Drs.
Neo - Like the post. Sadly you’re describing a time when personal responsibility was the rule of the day, unlike today.
Healthcare unfortunately has become a “right”. And thanks to stupid managed care, everyone thinks they can go to the Dr. anytime they like for a simple little $10 copay. If only they knew how the game was really played - but they don’t.
Wake up not feeling - call the Dr. and demand to be seen. It’s only a $10.00 copay
Get a fever in the night - off to the hospital emergency room. It’s only a $25.00 copay
Have a headache for a couple of days, off to the Dr. where he’ll order a head CT because he’s practicing defensive medicine. But don’t worry, it’s no big deal, it’s only a $10 copay!
And on and on it goes. Big trouble ahead. Wouldn’t want to be in my 20’s right now. They have no idea what’s coming.