Comments on: Replace How?
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By Craig moore on 07-11-12 @ 8:51 am
Who are going to replace the doctors if ACA is not tossed and replaced: http://www.doctorsandpatients.org/resources/85-physician-attitudes-survey-june-2012
Keep in mind also that residency programs are shrinking as Medicare takes more hits. For some
tortured reason, residency programs were funded through Medicare. Say hello to severe
rationing as patient populations rise and the number of doctors fall.
So Mr. Jopek, we had better start over and do this right.
By bocephusj57 on 07-11-12 @ 12:22 pm
The Doctor Patient Medical Association (DPMA) ... is a member of the National Tea PartyFederation….
The DPMA is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). DPMA Chair and
Co-Founder, Kathryn Serkes, is on ALEC’s Health and Human Services Task Force.
(from sourcewatch.org)
You can bet the gLibertarian Koch Bros have their fingers and no small amount of funding
involved with DPMA, aka this is a blatantly partisan, self-serving poll.
It’s not trustworthy or competently done. From your link:
“The survey was conducted by fax and online from April 18 to May 22, 2012. DPMAF obtained the
office fax numbers of 36,000 doctors in active clinical practice, and 16, 227 faxes were
successfully delivered. Doctors were asked to return their completed surveys by fax, or online
at a web address included in the faxed copy. Browser rules prevented doctors from filing
duplicate surveys, and respondents were asked to provide personal identification for
verification. The response rate was 4.3% for a total of 699 completed surveys.”
In other words, less than 50% of the FAX SPAMs were received, with a final return rate of 700,
out of 36,000. DPMA then tries to sell this as being representative of a nationwide sense of
the physician community.
This “survey” is pathetic, laughable and unworthy of any serious consideration.
By Craig moore on 07-11-12 @ 2:24 pm
bocephus, from 2010:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-06-20-medicare_N.htm
===quote===
WASHINGTON — The number of doctors refusing new Medicare patients because of low government
payment rates is setting a new high, just six months before millions of Baby Boomers begin
enrolling in the government health care program.
Recent surveys by national and state medical societies have found more doctors limiting Medicare
patients, partly because Congress has failed to stop an automatic 21% cut in payments that
doctors already regard as too low. The cut went into effect Friday, even as the Senate approved
a six-month reprieve. The House has approved a different bill.
• The American Academy of Family Physicians says 13% of respondents didn’t participate in
Medicare last year, up from 8% in 2008 and 6% in 2004.
• The American Osteopathic Association says 15% of its members don’t participate in Medicare and
19% don’t accept new Medicare patients. If the cut is not reversed, it says, the numbers will
double.
• The American Medical Association says 17% of more than 9,000 doctors surveyed restrict the
number of Medicare patients in their practice. Among primary care physicians, the rate is 31%.
===end quote===
And the downward trend continues:
http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/fewer-texas-doctors-willing-to-accept-medicare-medicaid-2413482.html
By Craig moore on 07-11-12 @ 2:37 pm
...and here in Montana there are 12 counties with no primary care physicians. That leaves over20,000 people without a doctor in reasonable reach. IN 25 other counties there are 1 to 6
doctors. Also, the average age of primary care doctors is 50.6 years. We are headed towards
serious trouble. The ACA does NOTHING to build an adequate healthcare delivery system while
populations grow. It’s like having a worthless service warranty on a product when there is no
repair station.
By Westside2 on 07-12-12 @ 12:04 am
Nice article Mike. I learned a lot.
Good points Craig. May they be given all due consideration.
By emerson on 07-12-12 @ 9:30 am
Craig—you are right. Most industrialized countries have much better patient outcomes (including more doctors per resident etc) and they do it at nearly half the cost of the United States. Perhaps we should try to learn
something from how these countries do it. But because America is a virtual plutocracy, there are too many
corporate interests to defend and protect and jerry-rig our way around in our attempt to solve problems.
The problem with the Republican position is that it is simply a do-nothing position. Any fool can sit on the
sidelines and throw rocks and complain about what they don’t like. Doing the actual work of trying to fix things
and improve things is hard. The point Mike is making is that the Republicans have always provided reactionary
responses to attempts to fix the crises of American health care. At the very point it seems like something may
happen—even if it was largely their idea—the Republicans will turn on it and say they are against it.
In fact the reason why the Republicans are currently in such an intellectual cul-de-sac over the matter is
because “Obamacare” is essentially a Republican policy solution to the problem. It was originally conceived by
the Heritage Foundation and was implemented by Republican governors (aka Romney). Now that it was
deployed by a Democratic congress and president the Republicans are reflexively against it.
I have noticed that there are two types of people in the professional work place: 1) Those who constantly
complain and point out why things won’t work and why things shouldn’t happen and 2) Those who are brave
enough to try to solve real and actual problems.
Unfortunately the Republicans today behave a lot like the first.
By Craig moore on 07-12-12 @ 10:06 am
emerson, the problem is that the ACA is a train wreck about to happen. Blaming R’s for Demsnever accepting any suggestions or even allowed to participate in the drafting process is a bit
much. Remember it was Dem Pelosi who said that they would have to vote before seeing it. Dems
own this lock stock and barrel.
By Red Green on 07-12-12 @ 10:45 am
Don’t you find it interesting that doctors can refuse to accept medicare and medicaid patients, but we are all about to have no choice whether (being forced) to buy health
insurance from corporations. The same corporations that can hugely influence politicians.
I am so disgusted with our country’s leadership….for the first time in my 48-year voting
tenure, I may just shred my ballot. I used to believe that not voting was being part of the
problem, but now, since I don’t have billions of dollars to call attention to my vote—-that vote
just doesn’t matter to those that shape our government.
I also used to believe that America would always manage to get through it’s troubles—-not
so sure anymore.
By emerson on 07-12-12 @ 10:46 am
Two things: “the ACA is a train wreck about to happen…” Based on what? The Congressional Budget Office scores it as reducing the deficit—the near exact policy in Romney’s Mass. has been
largely successful and people are happy with it.
“Dem Pelosi who said that they would have to vote before seeing it.” this is an out-of-context semi-
quote being propogated by the Weekly World Right-Wing “media.”
Yes—Democrats do “own” Health Insurance reform. They own it because the Republicans have
become worthless complainers who sit on the sidelines throwing rocks. That is the whole point—
they have no realistic or functional policy alternatives.
By Hanna on 07-12-12 @ 1:48 pm
Perhaps the most disturbing part of the Obama Care bill is the bogus propaganda in the bill itself. The “Affordable Care Act” as it is called, is nothing but the opposite!
“Affordable Care,” Really? Affordable for whom, I ask? Obama’s invasive overstep on our healthcare
is estimated to cost 2.6 trillion now. It keeps going up.
The biggest question I have is this. Why are we even talking about a national Health Care Plan?
We are broke. We are really broke. Anyone in support of this bill doesn’t seem to care. Either
that or they are completely ignorant of the current situation in this country. We have a national
debt nearing 16 trillion dollars. Our money is becoming increasingly devalued as we continue to
print more. The federal government is currently spending 3.6 trillion as we speak. We have
increasing tax revenue of 2.3 trillion and a massive deficit of 1.3 trillion. On every dollar there is a
soaring interest rate. Who and what is going to change this? Let’s not forget that we had to raise
the debt ceiling again last year while our credit rating was marked down a notch. Washington just
doesn’t get it. It’s not their money! It’s our money and they work for us.
The Washington politicians in support of these programs have an ideology that will collapse the
U.S economy. Apparently, all the world lessons in economic depression, inflationary collapse have
not taught them a thing. If anything; it has inspired them to spend more. This administration and its
supporters have spent more money than any other previous administration combined. Wow! Is
this not shocking to anyone? Thanks to this rocket pace frivolous spending each of us owe this
nation’s lenders a staggering $50,000 USD. If you’re a key tax payer your dept could be divided
among others as $139,000 USD. In theory; we will all be indentured servants, Slavery to the debt
we owe.
Let’s talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obama Care. The Supreme Court found the law to
be within Congress’s power to tax. That’s all they found. It’s not their job to decide what’s best for
us or even what’s ethical. They determine what is legal. The fact that they found this manipulative
piece of legislation legal is scary! Call it a tax or call it a mandate. It does not matter. It appears
that lawyers and judges can interpret the meaning of any word in the English language anyway
they like; suiting their needs for the time being. Without stating my own perception of the
term “TAX”: I will call it what the English language defines it as.
Tax - A contribution for the support of a government required of persons, groups, or businesses
within the domain of that government.
-A fee or dues levied on the members of an organization to meet its expenses.
-A burdensome or excessive demand; a strain. Obama’s plan is nothing but a tax to supress us
and stomp on our liberties.
By Craig moore on 07-12-12 @ 1:50 pm
emerson, previously explained. See above.
As to the CBO, keep in mind that they do an analysis based on a given set of assumptions. Did
you know that Medicare Advantage was destined to be cut $200 billion to pay for the ACA? With
doctors already bailing on Medicare, how much more of a train wreck does it take?
By Hanna on 07-12-12 @ 2:02 pm
Going on to even more fundamental principle’s of Obama’s health Care plan. We will talk about the Federal Government’s right to advise us on what type of health care we will receive. The plan is
down right invasive and un-American. It is a violation of personal liberties. I don’t want anyone
telling me what I have to do with my health care. It is my body and my life. It’s great if there are
programs for those who want them but to force social programs down someone’s throat is nothing
less then federal socialism. I carry insurance and the contents of my medical records aren’t
anyone else’s business but my own and the insurance company that I choose to work with on that
particular matter.
People compare this to automobile insurance. It is nothing like automobile insurance. You have a
choice to own a car and register it. This bill takes all your choices away. You are going to either
play by Obama’s tyrannical rules or you’re going to pay a tax so others can. On top of that; you
are going to pay a plethora of increased taxes in many other areas of your life. This includes a tax
on unearned income. I work hard for every dollar I make. I am responsible and take care of my
health. Many people do not. Now, their health is a public problem and not a personal one!
We need to change how we do politics not let politics change how we do medicine. Whether it is
Obama Care or Romney Care it doesn’t matter. The only thing governments should be getting
involved in when it comes to health care is making sure it is done safely and not fraudulently. We
need to abolish this plan, not replace it. Instead; we need to regulate the aggressive marketing of
pharmaceutical companies. We need to get back to medicine and not sales plans for
pharmaceutical companies. We need loddyists out of Washington. We have successfully created
a society dependent on prescription drugs. It is an epidemic. Many people consume drugs they
don’t need. We need to be responsible in managing our own costs which includes exploring
multiple options for treatment.
We need better education on healthy living and Tax breaks on healthcare, incentives for those who
have insurance and more tax incentives for businesses that provide health benefits. We need
protection for doctors against many frivolous law suits. We need more competition in the health
insurance industry and less lobbying.
If you really want to help this country; Give people back what is theirs. Give them back their
money! People need their money back to bring this country back. We need to vote these
spending addicts out of office. We need to vote them out before they vote your freedoms out! God
bless America now more than ever.
An independent starting a new business.
Hanna
By emerson on 07-12-12 @ 2:50 pm
Cuts in Medicare Advantage are from extra overhead paid to insurance companies—actually Medicare Advantage has been shown to be far less efficient than Medicare—it is simply cutting fraud
and waste. Since when did the Republicans start complaining that efforts to reduce costs from fraud
and waste?
By Mark W. on 07-12-12 @ 4:25 pm
The law is a mirror, and any truly remarkable Court decision tells us something about ourselves. What does the ACA decision tell us? This country is broken in every conceivable way.
By JB on 07-12-12 @ 7:02 pm
‘‘We have to pass the (health care) bill so you can find out what is in it.’‘
—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a speech to the National Association of Counties shortly before the
health care reform bill became law, March 9, 2010
By JB on 07-12-12 @ 7:10 pm
Oh, and another Pelosi quote for good measure:
“Every month that we do not have an economic recovery package 500 million Americans lose their
jobs.”
By mooseberryinn on 07-13-12 @ 8:32 am
Let’s see here, I believe the count was 21 new taxes, including taxes on medical equipment manufacturers? Hey, that will surely drive down the cost and improve availability. (ya sure). How
about the precedent the Supreme Court has inflicted upon us. Simply put; Do this/buy this or be
taxed (pay a penalty). Buy a vehicle that gets 40 mpg or be taxed. Buy vitamin enhanced cereal or
be taxed. The possibilities go on forever. And lastly - the IRS might determine you can afford to
pay for insurance “ACME A+” and if you don’t buy that, you will be “taxed”. This Obama regime is
the worst mistake ever made by gullible Americans.
By thinker on 07-15-12 @ 6:43 am
This issue is not about healthcare. It’s about taxes and power to control the American population.If it was about healthcare, it would be focused on developing more doctors and nurses and
hospitals, as well as medical research.
Have you noticed how everybody is now obsessing about their health and “healthcare”? It’s
become the paranoia of our lives. How can that be helpful?
By Hanna on 07-15-12 @ 8:16 am
What part of ” we don’t have any money ” don’t the politicians understand? Obama has already spent 10 trillion in welfare typed programs since he took office!
In 2012 our GPD has been surpassed by our national debt for the fisrt time ever. more than 55% of
every dollar spent by the federal governernment is borrowed from China. The other half is borrowed
from several other countires including Russia. Our tax revenu does not even pay half the interst we
owe. China will already be dictating economic poilicy around the world, including that of the United
States of America! That will include your so called government sponsored healthcare. Several
countries are calling for the U.S. dollar to be replaced as the international trade curency. less
demand for the dollar equals hyper inflation. Your family will be poor! This is the straw that will
break our backs. Barack did not get us to this point, Others did that for him. Howver; the Obama
administration wil be the administration to push us off the cliff to economic collapse. People;
Please do your home work. This is an economic disaster.
By Turnrow on 07-15-12 @ 9:49 am
The health care crisis that led to ACA is a totally manufactured problem, and the government isnot to blame. Shortage of doctors? That problem existed long before ACA and the blame can be
laid squarely at the feet of the AMA and physicians themselves. Just google “AMA and doctor
shortage” to get any number of studies and articles about this (hint: for almost 100 years,
they’ve limited the number of medical schools and physician graduates in order to maintain their
exclusive status. Why is there a huge waiting list of Americans trying to get into foreign
medical schools?). You can also get info about how doctors, medical insurance corporations and
pharmaceutical companies are the biggest factors in skyrocketing health care costs (yet somehow
they manage to deflect blame onto the government).
By mooseberryinn on 07-15-12 @ 1:46 pm
Hmm, to summarize; Get rid of King Obama, Court jesters Pelosi and Reid, and Max and Jon (no I didn’t read it) Tester. Start over if health care “reform” is actually needed.
By last chance on 07-15-12 @ 8:43 pm
Hanna is right. This country is on 2nd to China in GDP now. The ACA is a political scheme. It is designed to give people hope in something so Obama can lock in his 2nd term. We cannot afford
it.
Obama doesn’t seem to be too concerned about America’s financial future. Pushing this bill
through the way he did proved that. This country is so broke that our government would dry up if
other countries weren’t lending us all of our cash flow. Now that our GDP is less than our debt
countries are likely to hike interest rates and quit buying the dollar. The ACA is simply one of
many time bombs. The government is all to blame for selling lies and deciet. Perhaps the biggest
one of all time. A book that may be of interest to you is the called ” Crashing The Dollar”.
Check it Out.
By Gina Barker on 07-17-12 @ 9:55 pm
Wow! Some really inspiring comments in this thread! I like Craig’s comments, and I’ve been thinking about what Hanna said about China for quite some time now….
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