Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Atlas Shrugs: Doctors ‘Going Galt’
Human Events ^ | October 13, 2009 | Ralph R. Reiland

Posted on 10/14/2009 7:48:11 AM PDT by bamahead

The headline in Investor’s Business Daily, Sept. 16, 2009: “45% of Doctors Would Consider Quitting If Congress Passes Health Care Overhaul.”

The headline in the Boston Globe, Sept. 28, 2009: “States risk it, raise tax on rich.”

The problem with four of nine U.S. doctors saying they “would consider leaving their practice or taking an early retirement” is that “the number of doctors is already lagging population growth,” reports IBD.

Add millions of new patients to a shrinking supply of doctors and the obvious result is an English-style queue, longer waits in pain, and a centrally directed rationing of service.

That Boston Globe article on soaking the rich explains that New York’s increased confiscation of income from the “deep-pocketed rich” through higher taxes is producing a “millionaires’ exit.”

Said New York’s lieutenant governor, Richard Ravitch, regarding the flight of the state’s millionaires and the decline in government revenues that has already occurred as a result of the higher tax rates: “People aren’t wedded to a geographic place as they once were.”

In Atlas Shrugged, a novel by Ayn Rand, the most productive and creative citizens in the United States -- the innovators, risk-takers, artists, entrepreneurs, capitalists, intellectuals, industrialists -- overturn the conventional concept of victimhood and go on strike, refusing any longer to be exploited by society, refusing to be demonized as too successful, too rich, too individualistic, too free.

Led by John Galt, the novel’s hero, the industrious organize a strike against the ever-expanding yoke of government coercion. They strike to halt the murder of man’s spirit, to halt the confiscation of man’s work, to defend individualism, reason, liberty, human achievement and the market economy.

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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: atlasshrugged; economy; galt; goinggalt; healthcare; liberty; obamacare; socializedmedicine; tyranny
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-102 next last
To: ClayinVA

no.. that’s not what they meant.

they intended to find those doctors that quit... the 45%... and draft them BACK into working.

NO ONE during this whole process has mentioned creating new medical personnel to cut costs


61 posted on 10/14/2009 10:07:05 AM PDT by sten
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: bamahead
I've heard doctors say they might retire. The supply will decrease and the demand will greatly increase.
I've thought about what the government response will be. My guess is that the government will end medical training as we know it and create a new class of politically correct medical staffers with minimal skills. You will no longer be treated by a a trained physician but rather by a communications or polysci graduate with a few medical courses thrown in. They will work for far less than the current doctors and be glad to have a secure government job with pension and benefits.
As unemployment approaches 20% and jobs are hard to come by we will be forced to wait in line for hours at a government facility to see one of these new "doctors". If anyone complains there will be ACORN type thugs to take care of them.
62 posted on 10/14/2009 10:16:13 AM PDT by detective
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bamahead

My doctor and my dentist are now only seeing patients with certain insurance. It no longer pays to see government sponsored program patients or people with certain insurance plans that pay next to nothing, are a hassle to get paid by, or refuse to pay for important procedures or medications.


63 posted on 10/14/2009 10:18:39 AM PDT by CodeToad (If it weren't for physics and law enforcement I'd be unstoppable!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Comedian

“Thousands of freight cars will run 24/7 carrying the bodies of dead Democrats to mass unmarked government graves....”

Here’s a corrected version:
“Thousands of freight cars will run 24/7 carrying the bodies of dead Democrats to the nearest local processing facility of the Soylent Corporation.

Alpo may also bid for the dead Democraps.


64 posted on 10/14/2009 10:25:35 AM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principles,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: GeronL; BossLady; bamahead
They will start drafting doctors I guess. This is not a government that smiles on personal freedom.

Drafting doctors into public option health care

Many docs feel like slaves to the gov't and insurance companies already. Large numbers of them will choose to start collecting Social Security, leave the country or organize for collective bargaining like other unions.

65 posted on 10/14/2009 10:34:07 AM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi minh oi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: bamahead; originalbuckeye; Savage Beast; socialismisinsidious; LucyT; Arizona Carolyn; Yaelle; ...
FYI, there was a demonstration by physicians in Washington against ObamaCare two days before the big 9/12 rally. (Of course, it received absolutely no attention in the MSM.)

Here, however, is a report in the news bulletin of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons:

On Sept. 10, 1009, "Dr. Smith" went to Washington.

Nearly 1,000 physicians left their practices to travel, at their own expense, to the Capitol. After meeting with their congressmen, they came to a rally in the Upper Senate Park, organized by AAPS and Tea Party Patriots, to tell Congress to "stop meddling in medicine."

Speakers included physician/congressmen Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Tom Price (R-GA), and Paul Broun (R-GA), and practicing physicians representing AAPS, Docs4Patient Care, Physicians for Reform, and the D. C. Medical Society.

The event was prompted by the AMA's support of bills that would turn more control over to government.

"The AMA's endorsement of H.R. 3200 was bought and sold, at the expense of patients," said Seattle neurosurgeon Michael Schlitt, M.D., who spoke at the rally. "I couldn't stand by without telling Congress and the public that the AMA doesn't represent me, or most doctors I know. And it's time Congress listens to real doctors from the front lines."

Before the rally, two shifts of six physicians held signs in front of the AMA's D. C. headquarters: "Honk if you support your doctor," or "the AMA has sold out patients and physicians." Numerous people stopped to talk," reports AAPS president Mark Kellen, M.D. "They were genuinely interested in our point of view, and 9 out of 10 agreed with us that socialism is bad for America," he said.

66 posted on 10/14/2009 10:34:07 AM PDT by justiceseeker93
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GeronL

So they draft doctors. Let’s follow that scenario...

One reason doctors make big bucks is the insane hours and patient load they accept every day. 12-hour shifts, multi-booking patients, at-home and in-transit fielding of phone calls & paperwork, etc. ... and despite all that voluntary extra effort (compensated by high pay) the demand for doctors strains supply. Force them to work, and force them to accept reduced pay, and Congress will find the demand still cannot be met - because they will work only the hours they are compelled to, will shrug when overloaded instead of work harder, and will spend more time on paperwork than patients; why should they do otherwise when neither at liberty to act on their own choices nor compensated enough for what they are compelled to?

We barely have enough doctors as it is now; a doctor draft could never supply the demand.


67 posted on 10/14/2009 10:40:06 AM PDT by ctdonath2 (Mr. Obama, I will not join your plantation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: GladesGuru

68 posted on 10/14/2009 10:50:54 AM PDT by The Comedian (Evil can only succeed if good men don't point at it and laugh.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: sten

You cannot make someone go back to work if they don’t want too. You can always give up your license for personal or health reasons and get it back later if you need it. I have seen it happen. This time instead of Blue Flu, you get White Coat Flu.


69 posted on 10/14/2009 10:58:07 AM PDT by ClayinVA ("Those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: ctdonath2

“Do you have any medical experience.”

“Well I did dissect a frog once in third grade.”

“Congratulations, you’re now a doctor!”


70 posted on 10/14/2009 11:00:09 AM PDT by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: ssaftler

>>During the TV interview when the Visitor woman says to the interviewer that they shouldn’t say anything that would “put us in a bad light”. Near fell off my couch the first time I heard that one.

It’s almost like “V” is some TV exec’s attempt at doing the POW trick of blinking or tapping SOS as they are forced to read statements denouncing America. Maybe some of them realize that they’ve been turned into the propaganda machine for an evil regime and know how history will treat them.

Or maybe I’m just being hopeful that even liberals are starting to shake off the effects of Hope-n-Change Narcosis.


71 posted on 10/14/2009 11:00:33 AM PDT by Bryanw92 (Question O-thority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: ClayinVA

>>You cannot make someone go back to work if they don’t want too.

In a FREE country, you can’t. Welcome to Soviet America, comrade!


72 posted on 10/14/2009 11:03:04 AM PDT by Bryanw92 (Question O-thority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: ClayinVA

maybe in old America... but in communist China, and the upcoming brave new Amerika, if you don’t perform up to previous standards they will hurt you or your family.

yes, this is a real topic discussed seriously... right now... in America

yea ... change \o/ /sarc


73 posted on 10/14/2009 11:06:55 AM PDT by sten
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Doomonyou
We have a constitutional right to health care don’t we?

Correct, we have a right to a good education therefore the Govt. will provide one for free. And we have a right to good medical care, therefore the Govt. will provide it for free. And we have a right to eat, so the Govt. will provide food for free. And we have a right to minimum wage so the Govt. ensures we have it. And we have a right to bear arms....so the Govt will provide them for free??? Oh wait, they only provide for the "Rights" that the elites approve of.
74 posted on 10/14/2009 11:48:23 AM PDT by John.Galt2012 (I'll take Liberty and you can keep the "Change"!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: bamahead
Is “Galt’s Gulch” an archipelago in the Pacific?
http://www.LivingInThePhilippines.com
75 posted on 10/14/2009 12:01:36 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (I will raise $2 million for Sarah Palin if she runs; What will you do?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GBA

BINGO!!! GREAT POST! BTTT!!!

Just a way to get more revune for the states and control, and keep track of more tax money.

YES!!


76 posted on 10/14/2009 1:14:46 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Asato Ma Sad Gamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: GeronL
they actually could. the older ones can do what they want, as can the few whose family and personal wealth enables them to as they please. many other doctors get a mountain of debt along with their licenses. they can discount it to manipulate their choices.

they could, in theory, force each potential doctor to work at some “necessary” district for a period of time before a license would be granted. unlikely, but possible.

77 posted on 10/14/2009 1:16:40 PM PDT by sig226 (My President was President of the week at the Norwegian Slough Academy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sig226

They already incentivize that with some of the loan terms.

You can have these favorable student loan terms if you agree to work in this “underserved” area,
or you can have these less favorable terms and not have any requirements.


78 posted on 10/14/2009 1:18:32 PM PDT by MrB (Go Galt now, save Bowman for later)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: TheDailyChange; Bryanw92

A “draft” is what happened in England.

I’m paraphrasing, but the end result was this: Doctors, squeezed by high taxes and falling wages under socialized medicine, were pressed into service in quasi-military hospitals (read as: hospitals that used to treat only soldiers but now treat the gargantuan overflow of sheeple created by Commucare) when they attempted to leave the profession.


79 posted on 10/14/2009 1:27:15 PM PDT by snowrip (Liberal? YOU ARE A SOCIALIST WITH NO RATIONAL ARGUMENT.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Absolutely!!! A couple Jewish MDs I know have applied and been accepted to go to Israel and do research if this Obama deal passes.


80 posted on 10/14/2009 2:09:33 PM PDT by BossLady (Acorn slogan - PIMP LIKE YOU'RE HO-LESS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-102 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson