Posted on 04/05/2008 7:32:48 AM PDT by socialismisinsidious
Once they discover that she is Dr. Kate, the supplicants line up to approach at dinner parties and ballet recitals. Surely, they suggest to Dr. Katherine J. Atkinson, a family physician here, she might find a way to move them up her lengthy waiting list for new patients.
Those fortunate enough to make it soon learn they face another long wait: Dr. Atkinson’s next opening for a physical is not until early May — of 2009.
Now in Massachusetts, in an unintended consequence of universal coverage, the imbalance is being exacerbated by the state’s new law requiring residents to have health insurance.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” Dr. Sereno said. “It’s great that people have access to health care, but now we’ve got to find a way to give them access to preventive services. The point of this legislation was not to get people episodic care.”
Here in Massachusetts, legislative leaders have proposed bills to forgive medical school debt for those willing to practice primary care in underserved areas; a similar law, worth $15.6 million, passed in New York this week. Massachusetts also recently authorized the opening of clinics in drug stores, hoping to relieve the pressure.
Dr. Atkinson, 45, said she paid herself a salary of $110,000 last year. Her insurance reimbursements often do not cover her costs, she said.
“I calculated that every time I have a Medicare patient it’s like handing them a $20 bill when they leave,” she said. “I never went into medicine to get rich, but I never expected to feel as disrespected as I feel. Where is the incentive for a practice like ours?”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Medicare=Government Provided Healthcare.
Note that the provider feels “disrespected” by Medicare, not just under paid.
There are lots of sensible reforms that could be made to out insurance and healthcare systems, but expansion of government systems really should not be one of them. Government systems leave everyone feeling disrespected, to say the least.
They may be... I saw an article the other day that said north Texas is the fastest growing region in the country. They have to be coming from somewhere.
I saw this coming thanks to FReepers in Tenn and their experience with Hillary Care, I fled and got, see my tag line.
Hey folks—isn’t ANYONE going to mention how strange it is that the avatars of socialized medicine (The New York Times) published an article pointing out problems with the system?? Has hell frozen over??
And many people here on FR as well as on other websites are presently pushing for Mitt Romney to become McCain’s final VP choice! Here’s truly one reason to not have Mitt as McCain’s VP choice (Although it probably doesn’t really matter who McCain does pick for his final VP choice, IMHO. Too many people in general don’t like McCain for many legitimate reasons, and McCain will continue to be disliked no matter who he chooses for VP.)
I don't see how the administrator of the program can have any effect on the fact that there's a shortage of medical providers.
Your statement sounds like that old tired argument for communism...you just need the right people to make it work.
News flash - a bad idea is a bad idea...no matter who is in charge of it. Communism, universal healthcare, etc.
During a stay at a recent top hospital in Boston, I harrumphed about Universal Health Care in front of a young intern. He chimed in that he was all for it. They seem to think it will bail out the hospitals that are struggling to treat all the non-insured. Apparently no one teaches basic economics in med school.
It looks like Massachusetts had planned for them to pay for health care but continue to avoid seeing doctors.
Why is anyone surprised that if you force someone to pay for a service, they might actually want to use it?
Look at the black community which has been severely damaged by DemocRAT policies yet continues to vote overwhelmingly for RATs. It's mind boggling.
Michael Frazier
Is Kevin Johnny’s brother?
From the anti-yuppie blog, ‘Stuff White People Like’
#94 Free Healthcare
In spite of having access to the best health insurance and fanciest hospitals, white people are passionate about the idea of socialized medicine. So much so that they have memorized statistics and examples of how for-profit medicine has destroyed the United States.
But before you can exploit this information for personal gain, it’s important that you understand why white people are so in love with free health care.
The first and most obvious reason is “they have it Europe.” White people love all things European, this especially true of things that are unavailable in the United States (Rare Beers, Absinthe, legal marijuana, prostitution, soccer). The fact that it’s available in Canada isn’t really that impressive, but it does contribute to their willingness to threaten to move there.
These desires were only heightened in 2007 when Michael Moore released “Sicko,” a documentary that contrasts the health care industry in the United States with that of Canada, France and Cuba. As a general rule of thumb, white people are always extra passionate about issues that have been the subject of a Moore documentary. As a test, ask them about 9/11, Gun Control, or Health Care and then say “where did you get that information?” You will not be surprised at the results.
But the secret reason why all white people love socialized medicine is that they all love the idea of receiving health care without having a full-time job. This would allow them to work as a freelance designer/consultant/copywriter/photographer/blogger, open their own bookstore, stay at home with their kids, or be a part of an Internet start-up without having to worry about a benefits package. Though many of them would never follow this path, they appreciate having the option.
If you need to impress a white person, merely mention how you got hurt on a recent trip Canada/England/Sweden and though you were a foreigner you received excellent and free health care. They will be very impressed and likely tell you about how powerful drug and health care lobbies are destroying everything.
Though their passion for national health care runs deep, it is important to remember that white people are most in favor of it when they are healthy. They love the idea of everyone have equal access to the resources that will keep them alive, that is until they have to wait in line for an MRI.
This is very similar to the way that white people express their support for public schools when they don’t have children.
“but I never expected to feel as disrespected as I feel.”
I have a tough time feeling sympathy for a doctor who makes over $ 100,000 and still speaks in ebonics.
The text translates: "Health, child protection, fighting poverty, aiding travellers, community, helping mothers: These are the tasks of the National Socialist People's Charity. Become a member!"
There is a lot of socialistic sentiments in Mormonism, so it isn't surprising that a leading Mormon would desire many of the same social outcomes.
Yeah, they teach other stuff...
Of course - - that's the way socialist liberal Democrats think; only those OTHER medical students will be told what their practice will be and where they shall be stationed. Remember, Democrats walk into their polling places on election day and vote for big government confiscation of more tax money - - from their neighbors.
It is difficult to imagine anything more rude and selfish than being a Democrat.
Once they discover that she is Dr. Kate, the supplicants line up to approach at dinner parties and ballet recitals. Surely, they suggest to Dr. Katherine J. Atkinson, a family physician here, she might find a way to move them up her lengthy waiting list for new patients.
Those fortunate enough to make it soon learn they face another long wait: Dr. Atkinson’s next opening for a physical is not until early May — of 2009.
Now in Massachusetts, in an unintended consequence of universal coverage, the imbalance is being exacerbated by the state’s new law requiring residents to have health insurance.
Clearly the problem is NOT that the right person isn't administering the plan, the problem is that there are too many people requesting healthcare services and not enough healthcare providers to provide those services. We're talking about Massachusetts, not Texas, so your Austin Yellow Pages statistics don't have any bearing on the situation.
Many people just don't get health insurance, for a variety of reasons.
We're talking about Massachusetts...remember? It is mandated that every resident have health insurance - they can't choose not to get it, so I really don't see what point you're trying to make. Your statement isn't relevant to the topic under discussion.
My point is the State have a bureaucracy to manage health care and invariably appointing those who believe in social programs, for health care, running it. Never a conservative or libertarian ... that is a problem in government at every level in this country.
To my original point, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO'S IN CHARGE IN MASSACHUSETTS! If there aren't enough healthcare providers, there will be a healthcare shortage - period!
A better system is to have the patient and the doctor in charge, with government and lawyers out.
A better system? Once again, we're discussing the law in Massachusetts. Why are you talking about "a better system"? That is not relevant to the discussion.
I'll say it again, given Massachusetts healthcare laws, it doesn't matter who's in charge. It's a bad idea, and anyone with half a brain could have foreseen the shortage they are now experiencing, since it seems to happen everywhere universal coverage is tried.
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