From 2003–2018, I developed a close relationship with a PCP, even though he moved 4 times, joined a new medical group, substituted a PA to do his dirty work, an

From 2003–2018, I developed a close relationship with a PCP, even though he moved 4 times, joined a new medical group, substituted a PA to do his dirty work, and my insurance carrier took evasive action. That PCP was ultimately subsumed into the Veterans Administration; needless to say, I could not follow him there. More than one GP has griped to me about a crushing workload with a daily roster of patients who have neglected/abused their bodies for decades and are incapable of following advice/orders. (Like me) A constant stream of pharma sales droids treat prescribers to lunch. There’s a website where you can track their “gifts” to specific providers. Or, just rent “Love & Other Drugs” which is disguised as fiction. Remember when the national motto was “flatten the curve” because we wouldn’t want to flood hospital beds with COVID patients? They were actually more concerned about dramatically poor staffing levels across the board. Hospitals can’t open any beds without nurses. Insurance customers have reported being placed in “ghost networks”. These are impressive and extensive networks of specialists who no longer exist, moved out of state, or network contract has lapsed 8 years ago. Even with Medicaid, you’ll need to query 3 databases to eliminate the stale entries. The main hospital system in my city (Steward) filed for bankruptcy last year. All the equipment broke, including HVAC, in their BH inpatient facility, so it shut down. A new owner has taped their logo over the Steward signs. There aren’t enough MD or DO slots in the pipeline, so the industry churns out a smorgasbord of NP, PA, MA, and other quasi-practitioners to fill the gaps, bewildering patients and usurping focus from the actual physicians. Other than that, American physicians are floating on Cloud 9 — thanks for asking!