[Uncle Miltie]

The Oldest Doctors can probably afford to quit.

Medical School applications will fall through the floor, so the supply of fresh blood into the profession will dry up.

Young doctors will consider their alternatives, and some will quit for more lucrative opportunities.

Net: Slow strangulation of supply.

Reduced supply results in increased costs (remember Econ 101?)

Increased Demand (30,000,000 newly insured) also increases costs (Econ 101 again).

So where do you think costs are going to go?

Through the roof of course!

[Inspectorette]

Donning my tinfoil hat here. I’m envisioning the federal government bringing in a lot of “doctors” from Third World countries to practice here. Of course, these “doctors” would not be allowed to go into private practice - they would become government employees, paid for by our taxes.

[Evil Slayer]

I just saw my primary doctor yesterday. He said he was still going to practice and had signed a 3 year contract. But, he said he has been having trouble getting at least two doctors to help him as backups. They just aren't interested to come on board with him. He also said that he was just barely making a profit and he could probably do better as a janitor but his life is dedicated to helping his patients. He does NOT accept assignment with Medicare. He charges 15% (which is allowed) above what Medicare pays. I asked him what he thought was going to be the a problem with obamacare if passed and he told me that prescription drugs would be harder to get. He's been my primary doc for 12 years and I like him. I could get into a lengthily discussion of how he has, basically, saved my life on several occasions. I want to keep him as long as I can.

[hinckley buzzard]

This will be a rigidly controlled government program. Laws of supply and demand will not apply. If there is a reduced supply of medical care, then the masses will just have to queue up and wait their turn. Like Britain or Canada. And, if you die while waiting, well, that's life.