Reply #34: I really don't blame the Docs. [View All]

I honestly don't. They have a large investment in education, and a very large overhead--no matter what size practice they are in. I sincerely doubt that most people go into medicine unless they honestly care about people. Hell--the hours most Docs I know keep are brutal--and they really don't get paid all that well for those long hours unless they are in some specific specialties.

The hoops they have to go thru just to get paid are just horrible. I doubt that many of them are in an office without at least a couple of staffers devoted to just billing and collections from the various medical plans (private or governmental.)

I honestly think that many Docs would tell you freely that they'd be willing to work for lower fees if it meant that they could hire fewer staff or be guaranteed payment for service rendered--without filing a mountain of paperwork or fighting to collect it.

My biggest issue is with a system that works so hard to drive expenses up that it prices services out of most people's ability to pay. THAT is where we have GOT to fight, and it is probably the toughest political opponent we can ever face. The insurance companies have a HUGE lobby, and they are quite good at what they do. THEY are the biggest villains, IMO.

FWIW, knitter4democracy, I would probably LOVE to sit down with your hubby someday and discuss this issue. I WANT to hear what other Docs outside my circle think about this subject. I doubt I'll be shocked by anything they'd say, except maybe by how vehement they are that we need reform.

Peace.


Laura