3 ms·

“The largest group in the top one percent of income in America are physicians.” It is going to be very challenging to introduce changes that negatively impact

“The largest group in the top one percent of income in America are physicians.” It is going to be very challenging to introduce changes that negatively impact a profession with the social respect and the deep pockets physicians have. It could probably succeed in a countries like Canada, Sweden or Germany, but overcoming entrenched interests in the US and not getting labelled "socialized medicine"[1] in the process is unlikely. 1. Of course it's no more socialized medicine than Medicare, but it's a good way to discredit your opponents.

carbocation 13y ago
As of 2008, nearly 59% of US physicians supported national health insurance [1]. Doctors are not the culprit. 1 = http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=740467 http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=740467
- refurb 13y ago
  What do that "national health insurance" look like for physicians? Does it include pay cuts? I'm pretty sure in those 59% of physician's eyes it doesn't.
  - carbocation 13y ago
    The answer to that question depends on whether you think physicians lack insight. I think that most physicians are smart enough to look at the national insurance that already exists (Medicaid & Medicare) and to recognize that their reimbursements would be cut. I think they can balance that against the complexities of the current system and some might be willing to trade somewhat lower pay for the ability to focus on providing care. 20% of health care costs come from physician pay, of which about half goes to the cost of running a practice. Most reformers know that cutting physician pay, while part of almost any plan, is not going to be the most important way to save money.
  - roguecoder 13y ago
    If pay cuts were accompanied by less annoying insurance infrastructure, I'm sure some doctors would take the pay cuts.
dagss 13y ago
I would expect it is already a reality in some or all of those countries? I know it is in Norway and has been like that for a long time. When the government/taxes pay the health care bills anyway, frequent home visits to reduce expenses are more of a no-brainer.
- SoftwareMaven 13y ago
  But in this case, the government is footing the bill. Medicare is "socialized medicine"[1] for the over-65 crowd. As a tax payer, these kinds of articles are exceedingly frustrating. 1. It is (relatively) crappy socialized medicine, though.

carbocation 13y ago

As of 2008, nearly 59% of US physicians supported national health insurance [1]. Doctors are not the culprit. 1 = http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=740467 http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=740467

refurb 13y ago
What do that "national health insurance" look like for physicians? Does it include pay cuts? I'm pretty sure in those 59% of physician's eyes it doesn't.
- carbocation 13y ago
  The answer to that question depends on whether you think physicians lack insight. I think that most physicians are smart enough to look at the national insurance that already exists (Medicaid & Medicare) and to recognize that their reimbursements would be cut. I think they can balance that against the complexities of the current system and some might be willing to trade somewhat lower pay for the ability to focus on providing care. 20% of health care costs come from physician pay, of which about half goes to the cost of running a practice. Most reformers know that cutting physician pay, while part of almost any plan, is not going to be the most important way to save money.
- roguecoder 13y ago
  If pay cuts were accompanied by less annoying insurance infrastructure, I'm sure some doctors would take the pay cuts.

dagss 13y ago

I would expect it is already a reality in some or all of those countries? I know it is in Norway and has been like that for a long time. When the government/taxes pay the health care bills anyway, frequent home visits to reduce expenses are more of a no-brainer.

SoftwareMaven 13y ago
But in this case, the government is footing the bill. Medicare is "socialized medicine"[1] for the over-65 crowd. As a tax payer, these kinds of articles are exceedingly frustrating. 1. It is (relatively) crappy socialized medicine, though.