Bad Medicine

www.enterpriseeconomy.com ^ | 08-21-02 | j.d. tuccille

[john bell hood]

The percentage of health care providers actually refusing to participate in government programs is still relatively small. The American Academy of Family Physicians puts the share of family doctors who refuse to take new Medicare patients at roughly 17 percent, meaning that the majority of doctors still participate.

Still, that 17 percent is a significant number when you consider that federal law requires physicians opting out of the program to give up seeing Medicare patients at all for two years before they're allowed to contract with them privately.

Excerpt. Rest of article.

[john bell hood]

With all of the problems our system of socialized medicne is having, Congress is poised to extend its coverage, rather than restrict it. I think we'll see even more physicians opting out as time passes and the burdens of this system grow.

[js1138]

The Mayo Clinic has recently opted out. Is there anyone in the medical community with a greater reputation?

[Lysander]

It never ceases to amaze me that people think government makes something less expensive just because it forces somebody else to pay for it. Seniors need to realize that prescription drug benefits just pass the bills on to their grandchildren. It also passes more expensive bills on ta' boot.

[johniegrad]

The practice of medicine becomes more miserable by the day. Looking around for greener pastures is a waste of time. Sometimes I think the only solution is to retire or do something else for a living.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I think we'll see even more physicians opting out as time passes and the burdens of this system grow.

Probably not, because at some point the feds will close the "opt-out loophole."

If Hillary becomes President, that will be sooner rather than later.

[joesnuffy]

Much like VA healthcare...the system seems to exist more for the people "working there" (I use this somewhat 'eupha-mystically')...than for the patients...as there is no shortage of workers only service. imo

[banjo joe]

That's why I prefer gubmint 'emplyoee', rather than gubmint 'worker'.

Civil Servant? SERVANT? ha!

[Jim Noble]

>>at some point the feds will close the "opt-out loophole." <<

The late, unlamented HillaryCare plan specified a $50,000 fine and/or five years in jail for treating an over-65 year old patient outside the system.

The difference between communists and socialists is that the communists are serious.