Doctors' practice of "defensive medicine" widespread, costly (Terrified of Lawsuits)

The Boston Globe ^ | November 17, 2008 | Kay Lazar

[Ethrane]

This is another private practice anesthesiologist who will be damned if I’m going to work the 70+ hours/week I do now for what the feds will pay me.

Nights? Weekends? Holidays? Not anymore.

I ain’t rich, but I could live the rest of my natural born days without starving and a roof over my head right now...and the irony is that once Obama guarantees my ‘health care’ that’ll solve my biggest early retirement piece of the puzzle!

[firebrand]

I’ve noticed that doctors no longer like to speak. They indicate their wishes to the patient in code, or in grunts and facial expressions. That way they can’t be sued for advising the “wrong” thing.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

This is another private practice anesthesiologist who will be damned if I’m going to work the 70+ hours/week I do now for what the feds will pay me.

With the promised universal health care coming to the wonderful workers paradise of the union of socialist states of amerika, I would suggest you keep your skills sharp and gather what equipment you can while you can.

The black market in health care is going to explode once it takes 2 years to get in to see a specialist for your heart attack or 3 years for a diagnosis of melanoma.

Sure, the people will only be able to pay in carrots and black bread, but at least they will be grateful to live to see another day.

[Harrius Magnus]

Unfortunately, Mom, unless you are a retainer PCP, you already are working under a form of socialized health care - a oligopsony with Medicare leading the few.