Nearly One-Third of Doctors Could Leave Medicine if Health-Care Reform Bill Passes, New England Jo.

cns news ^ | 3/16/10 | Christopher Neefus

[Nachum]

(CNSNews.com) - Nearly one-third of all practicing physicians may leave the medical profession if President Obama signs current versions of health-care reform legislation into law, according to a survey published in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The survey, which was conducted by the Medicus Firm, a leading physician search and consulting firm based in Atlanta and Dallas, found that a majority of physicians said health-care reform would cause the quality of American medical care to “deteriorate” and it could be the “final straw” that sends a sizeable number of doctors out of medicine.

[Nachum]

The list, ping

[Regulator]

Don't worry, there's a large supply of really competent docs waiting to come here on an H1-B visa from Zaire.

Of course, you have to pay for the warpaint and the headdresses that they use in their procedures, but...that's little things

[AngelesCrestHighway]

[DonaldC]

“Nearly one-third of all practicing physicians may leave the medical profession...”

I wonder what they plan to be doing?

[Tulane]

So if the supply of providers is diminished, and the demand stays constant (which in theory it will grow because everyone will be insured), what will happen to the cost?

Captain Obvious, are you out there?

[Qwackertoo]

I’ve been thinking & saying this all along . . . they need to sing it loud . . . can’t say I blame them either.

[PGR88]

Medical tourism - for the rich at least, will become very common.

[swain_forkbeard]

I think more doctors will do what some have done already. They will see patients who pay cash.

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

Nearly One-Third of Doctors Could Leave Medicine if Health-Care Reform Bill Passes, New England Jo.

Gee — Think we should tell anybody???

[Irenic]

I bet if Doctors leave medicine and many stop taking Medicaid and Medicare, we will see how free we really are.

I think it will show blatantly and with certainty the spots of these critters we have in office.

Just how far will they go down the road of tyranny?

[dangerdoc]

I’m farming.

[wbill]

I wonder what they plan to be doing?

Pretty much whatever they want, I'd think.

Not too many ditchdiggers that are qualified to be doctors. But there are plenty of docs smart enough to figure out a better way of digging ditches, IMHO.

[wbill]

My GP has already cut her hours back to 20 a week.

She's using the extra time to play with her grandkids. Can't say as I blame her. After a certain point, she's just working for the gov't anyway.

[mel]

I read that wouldn’t be allowed, i am probably wrong.

[rawhide]

The dems will just pass a law preventing the doctors from doing this. The democrats leadership are very evil people! nothing will stop them from passing this. Laws ands rules are for amateurs!

[stephenjohnbanker]

Summon the Captain........

[Art in Idaho]

I would say, from the Docs I know, the number is between 33 to 50%. Regardless, it's going to be quite a few. Most are seasoned experienced Docs who have just about had it with all the rules and regulations, the malpractice threat, and many other things too numerous to mention.

An issue I haven't seen discussed is after we lose all the good Docs, it won't be long until the Med School standards start to drop and we hear about the "New" medical schools for the ACORN people, etc. Welcome to Cuba!

[BuckyKat]

Right now I wouldn’t advise anyone to go into a health care field. Wages will continue to drop and each individual will be expected to do more. The few left in med school will be forced by the gubmint to accept family practice residencies and the specialties will be hit particularly hard.

[Ramius]

This is one of the biggest unreported stories out there, and it’s already been happening. My old doctor retired early. His practice was busy, but couldn’t cover the bills and have anything worthwhile left over. Then my next doctor just up an quit. I’m currently without a doctor. Nobody in my area (that speaks english) is taking new patients.