45% Of Doctors Would Consider Quitting If Congress Passes Health Care Overhaul

Investor's Business Daily ^ | 9/15/09 | Terry Jones

[harpu]

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...

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.

The IBD/TIPP Poll was conducted by mail the past two weeks, with 1,376 practicing physicians chosen randomly throughout the country taking part. Responses are still coming in, and doctors' positions on related topics — including the impact of an overhaul on senior care, medical school applications and drug development — will be covered later in this series.

• 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.

It also differs with findings of a poll released Monday by National Public Radio that suggests a "majority of physicians want public and private insurance options," and clashes with media reports such as Tuesday's front-page story in the Los Angeles Times with the headline "Doctors Go For Obama's Reform."

-snip-

• 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.

More than 800,000 doctors were practicing in 2006, the government says. Projecting the poll's finding onto that population, 360,000 doctors would consider quitting.

-snip-

[Prokopton]

Between “fringy” law schools and affirmative action at good law schools, there are some incompetent lawyers.

I never cease to be amazed at the incompetence of the average attorney. Most competent attorneys seem to be specialists practicing in a narrow field. Just like law, it is must be very difficult for medical GP's to keep up with the constant changes in the many areas of practice.

[Lady Jag]

Two out of three drs. think Zero's plan is

[InterceptPoint]

Less than 17% of doctors in this country belong to the AMA. It isn’t NEARLY repesentative of physicians in this country.

That explains everything.

[kempo]

I went to see a Neuro Surgeon Monday. My appoint was for 12:30 the place was packed and I didn't get to see the doctor until 3:00. I was thinking the whole time if Obama care passes there will not be enough Doctors to go around.

[CPT Clay]

You wont see this on MSM

[Eternal_Bear]

but u get two for the price of one! (sarcasm)

[pray4liberty]

Okay, it's official: the government is trying to create a health care crisis. This is the proof.

[EGPWS]

Howard Dean saw it coming long ago and got out.

But then again, he is a founding father of the destruction of our democratic republic.