"You have my disgust and disdain forever, you socialist-coddling coward."

Dr. Becky F. Hollibaugh in an open letter to Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson:

Dear Senator Nelson:

I send this message under “Tort Reform” because the current monstrosity you have pledged your support to says nothing whatsoever about Tort Reform. You have sold the physicians of Nebraska for zilch (zilch for us, but beaucoup federal bucks for you and the liberal partisans in this state). As a family practice physician in Small Town, Nebraska, I was counting on you to be the lone voice of Democratic sanity on this issue, but you sold me out. I will dedicate
every spare minute of my time and every spare dollar I have to defeating you, should you run for re-election. The long hours I spent on my medical education and the long hours I spend treating my patients are nothing but chump change to you and your Democrat colleagues in Washington. I especially can’t wait for your equivocation and milquetoast evasion when your “compromises” on the abortion language in the bill are silently erased or quietly (on-little-legislative-cat’s-feet) eviscerated in the House/Senate give-and-take. Go on: Bet me that you won’t wuss-out on this issue!

I know you won’t give two-seconds to this letter, but I had to write it. I’m a primary care doctor in YOUR state, and you sold me out. I didn’t slog through 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency just to have you hand my career and my patient/doctor relationships over to government lifers. Your gutless acquiescence to Obama and Harry Reid and ‘Nanny’ Pelosi will NOT be forgotten.

Thank you, Ben, for forcing doctors like me to earn less than the repairmen who fix our appliances. Case in point: We recently had our dishwasher fixed. The repairman who came to our house charged $65 just to come and ‘diagnose’ the problem, then charged another $180 to ‘fix’ the problem. You and your fellow lawmakers have fixed MY going rate (Medicare) at $35 per-visit. Thank you for securing such a ‘lucrative’ rate for me! Thank you so much for making me–someone with 8 years of education!–make less than a mechanic or appliance repair technichian. And thanks especially for falling in line with Obama and the rest of the Democrats to make such a socialist system permanent.

You have my disgust and disdain forever, you socialist-coddling coward.

Sincerely,
Becky F. Hollibaugh, D.O.
Warren Memorial Hospital
Ziimmerman Clinic
Friend, NE 68359

She adds an update at the link to her liberal leftist critics.

H/T to Matteo.

Crossposted(*).

Comments

[Stacy Wade]

I saw this on Michelle Malkins website. PRICELESS!!!

[Bill]

What a poor excuse for a human being she is.

[Mommynator]

That's not even the worst that's happening right now.

Right now, the new Medicare reimbursement for specialists is going to make things worse.

Specialists cannot now be reimbursed at their specialist rate any more to discourage using specialists. So an internist or general physician has to either go above his specialty, or not get the proper care for her patients.

Doctors are already NOT taking on new Medicare patients, and some are dropping them because of the continued cutting of reimbursements from Medicare.

Death panels, anyone?

[Bob Furrer]

Everyone...BEND OVER, your are will be receiving IT!!!

Bob

[JP]

Dear Bill,

How can you say she is a poor excuse for a human being? Do you want her to work for free? No physician will be able to stay in business if changes continue in their current direction. Maybe you can have your plumber deliver your wife's baby or take out your prostate in the future...Good luck with that

[Mommynator]

Unfortunately, JP, she didn't state her case as clearly as she could have.

You see, a plumber or carpenter or some such does not incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to be educated in their trade. They usually go to a trade school, or are apprenticed to learn them. Then when they do become master this or that, they can charge the big bucks according to what their market will pay.

Physicians don't have that luxury - they are beholden to the insurance companies whose rates follow Medicare reimbursements, and those are fast becoming smaller and smaller.

So how is she supposed to go about making enough money to pay her debts, pay her staff (a necessity with all the required paperwork and red tape and jumping through hoops for insurance reimbursement), pay for equipment and supplies, pay for continuing education (also a requirement), licensing and her ever-increasing malpractice insurance premiums?

Yeah, she has a very legitimate gripe because her "prices" can't be what the market will allow or will allow her to be even slightly profitable. Most doctors are NOT making the big bucks they used to - that is a persistent lie. It's only the superspecialists who command those reimbursements and incomes, but their time is coming as well.

[Frank]

Response to Dr. Becky F. Hollibaugh

NOT. EVERYONE. CAN. AFFORD. TO. GO. TO. THE. DOCTOR. BECAUSE. DOCTORS. CHARGE. TOO. MUCH. Something had to give and you lost, the masses spoke. The masses got their way and that is democratic.

Less money? That's right, that was the whole idea. The health care industry is raping the little guy and we are tired of it. If health care didn't cost so much then insurance companies wouldn't charge so much and we would not have to pay so much. In fact families like mine are so tired of medical rates that we are willing to hand control of it over to the government and yes we know they screw everything up. The fact that so many Americans are asking for this should be a gigantic sign to the health industry: no matter what your reasoning we cannot afford it.

A decade of school is probably difficult, but so is a year and half in a combat zone. You apparently think that your years of education entitle you to more of my money. Then what do my sacrifices as a soldier entitle me to? What do the years of taxpaying my grandparents went through entitle them to? Crying about entitlement and the way things should be will only get your cleanex wet.

Look at the letter you wrote: “Case in point: We recently had our dishwasher fixed. The repairman who came to our house charged $65 just to come and ‘diagnose’ the problem, then charged another $180 to ‘fix’ the problem.” I’ve recently spent that amount on my sons reoccurring rash, we even switched doctors within that specific office and still had to go back. Now you know how it feels. The repairman’s bill: ridiculous. My doctor’s bill: ridiculous.

Try to understand where we are coming from. I know doctors have earned their positions. I know they can charge a healthy rate because health is so vital to each of us and besides where else are we going to go? But when I watched my family pool money just to pay for my grandparents’ medications because their bills were so high I was outraged. They were not severely ill; they just could not afford it any longer. Medical treatment that does not drive a person into poverty should be a human right, especially in our extremely wealthy country. And no they were not lazy, stupid or careless with their money. They simply outlived their means, it happens.

Another example would be firefighters who risk their lives daily and make half a doctor’s yearly income. You are better than they are? You somehow deserve more? You really work harder? I was a military fireman for 11 years, deployed twice, watched soldiers on the field of combat die at my side and I have never once complained about my paycheck which is far less than yours. You are un-American, greedy and self righteous. I am glad I defended our country even if it was for less than your salary, I am glad I defend the poor to this day politically and most of all I am glad I am not a whiny doctor in Friend, Nebraska.

“I know you won’t give two-seconds to this letter, but I had to write it.” And I promise I will continue to work just as hard here in Omaha for Nelson as you ever will against. I would also like to add I have never thrown my service in anybody’s face before but it seemed appropriate here to match your opinion and complaints. It’s tough everywhere and change always hurts.

P.S. If you are still in business a few years from now I want to know how with all of this horrendous doom and gloom your profit margin and overhead are suffering.

[Frank]

Yes I know doctors have student loans but soldiers have families, making ends meet is difficult regardless. Besides, many people have student loans disproportionately large compared to their monthly income, yep it sucks.

And no I'm not a liberal, hardcore lefty. I am obviously decided on THIS issue, but do not assume this in any way denotes my political stance one issue to the next.

[ED]

Frank:
Your commentary is very moving and raises some very valid points. However, it is very important that you realize that there are a few commonly held misconceptions that complicate discussions of this subject.
There is absolutely no doubt that the cost of medical care in this country are ridiculous. There are many reasons that this is the case, and if you spend some time researching this topic you will discover that a very small percentage of that is dependent upon fees that go to pay physicians.
One can scoff at this all you like, but the fact remains that many of our primary care physicians make a fairly average salary-- especially when one considers the cost of their education, which includes not only medical school and residency, but also ongoing education throughout a career. Compare this to salaries made by other professionals (in law or business, for example).
No one-- and especially myself-- would argue that the hardships that our service men and women must endure at home is a travesty, but this does not justify further imbalances. Doctors, just like soldiers, have families.

Before you start crafting your response to this message, you should also consider that many of the costs that you complain about have absolutely nothing to do with physicians. It is in the best interests of the other parties involved, however, for you to think so.

Pharmaceutical companies have for years charged American patients inflated rates for drugs because they are not allowed to to do in other countries. This is justified, they say, because they need to make up their bottom line (and have money to do more research). Yet these same companies waste billions of dollars to advertise to you and me in print, radio and televised media. You can add to this problem the many medical device manufacturers and other hangers-on that jack up prices for new technologies and innovations.

Remember too that most big insurance companies are for profit enterprises. Many have policies of routinely denying some set percentage of claims just because statistics show that many patients will (out of fear or frustration) just ante up and pay, so that the insurance company doesn't have to. If the recent behavior of our banking industry has shown anything, it should be that cutting the bill will probably never be passed on to the consumer.

You should understand that most hospital bills do reflect price inflation, and that this is done because Medicare and Medicaid often will only pay a (small) percentage of any bill, and that most hospitals also have a fairly large patient population with NO insurance, and they therefore eat most of the costs associated with treating these patients. While this is a frankly stupid way to run things, within the current system this is the only way many health care institutions can stay afloat.

And do not underestimate the effect of our failure to institute effective tort reform on this overwhelming problem. There are far too many legal firms and lawyers who have made huge profits from the misfortune of patients. Most doctors and hospitals would agree that when someone is hurt, they deserve to be taken care of. However, the current environment is ridiculous, and most of these cases are never even deliberated on by an impartial judge or jury-- they go straight to a negotiated settlement, which is cheaper in the short run, perhaps but ends up creating a system where those out for a payoff routinely persecute physicians and hospitals hoping to receive a payoff.

Finally, the American citizen needs to recognize his or her own role in this whole problem. Too many of us refuse to take responsibility for our own health, yet expect complete and immediate treatment and cure when years of poor living and bad decision making catch up with us. In addition, many of us refuse to consider following paths that might cut down on costs-- waiting a couple of days to see your primary care doctor for that cold, for example, instead of going to the emergency department.

Americans think they can have whatever they want, whenever they want it, and the patients with the least coverage are some of the worst offenders.

The relative expenditure on Medicaid patients outpaces expenditures on patients (in the same age group, etc) with insurance in almost all areas of the country. These patients spend a much larger percentage of the time in emergency departments and hospitals receiving expensive evaluations and tests, and this is not explained by less access to healthy lifestyle choices. Keep in mind that most patients with private insurance fork over a hefty co-payment when they go to the emergency room, for example, while Medicaid patients pay nothing. The patient population that utilizes these services most does the least to defray cost, even adjusting for relative income.

The bottom line is that cost-effective healthcare will require effort from all parties. MORE IMPORTANTLY, it should not be a for-profit enterprise. Unfortunately, that's unlikely to happen in this country, and we probably could not maintain the medical advances we enjoy if it did.

This is a very complicated problem, exacerbated by some well-meaning but misinformed individuals and others who are (unfortunately) looking only for profit.

Just keep in mind that almost no one goes to medical school because they want to get rich, despite the stupid crap you see on television.

[Mommynator]

Frank, you still don't get it, but I don't expect it only because you don't work for a doctor or hospital.

Yes, there is a lot of waste but that is because the hospitals and doctors have to jump through hoops, untangle red tape, fear the lawsuits and other such stupidities that exist.

You think doctors charge too much? Well, you try to figure out how to pay for:

- malpractice insurance, which is obscene because people sue for the stupidest things. Not saying there is never a need to sue a doctor or hospital, but the vast majority of cases involve greed on the part of patients and the lawyers who encourage them.

- office space, equipment, and other details of day-to-day patient care. You think that comes cheap? Research how much an x-ray machine costs. The exam tables. A basic EKG machine. The rooms to be set up to state codes. The CLEANING staff to keep things clean enough. The little things - cotton swabs, needles, etc. Add all that up. You'd be screaming and yelling if the doctor didn't have everything on hand necessary to instantly diagnose whatever is up your bottom.

- staff, without which the doctor could not even begin to get reimbursed by insurance. There is usually a registrar who takes appointments and does other paperwork. Then there is the separate billing clerk or service who is specially trained to ferret out the correct codes to submit to the insurance. One wrong thing, and the doctor doesn't get paid. Medicare is especially dreaded for this as they change their requirements willy nilly so they don't have to pay. A good billing clerk is treasure. You should be thankful that if you have a doctor's office whose only charge YOU pay is your copay, instead of being billed for the almost impossible task of getting money out of the insurance company. And you'll take it out on the staff because you haven't the first clue what happens.

- other staff, like the medical assistants who do the prep work for the doctor, getting your blood pressure and temp and wheedling out a medical history. Never mind the cranky patients like you who come in ready for combat.

- other staff, who keep your records straight, get insurance referrals and authorizations for other procedures/specialists, and in general keep things up to date and in order. Of course, you'll be on the phone screaming if you can't get instant satisfaction even though most offices are already overwhelmed and trying to keep things in order.

All these people need to be paid. All the suppliers and vendors need to be paid. The rent/mortgage needs to be paid. The malpractice insurance needs to be paid. And so does the doctor, who has a family and mortgage and thousands in student loans to be paid (even into their 50s, dear - believe it or not).

I'm not arguing about firefighters or soldiers - my son was a soldier. But everyone goes into this with their eyes wide open.

Grow up, grow a pair, look past yourself for a change.

[ED]

AND ONE MORE THING...

Keep in mind, when you are complaining about how much doctors make that we want the best and brightest young minds in our nation to choose medicine as a career.

You can poo-poo this, but when you have a family member who is critically ill, you don't want a numb-nuts caring for them.

No one is knocking firefighters or soldiers, as noted above, but just like not everyone is cut out for that work, not everyone should be a doctor.

Keep making medicine a terrible way to make a living, and the people we want in medicine will just go into some other career, where they can be sure they'll be able to take care of their families and not worry about getting sued all the time.

The people who end up becoming doctors work hard through high school, college, medical school and beyond-- studying and training constantly so that they can take good care of you and your loved ones.

If you don't think that is a worthwhile expenditure of your money, so be it, but remember that you will ultimately get what you pay for.

[Mommynator]

That last ED post is spot on.

I'm returning to school in my middle ages to become a nurse practitioner. That's taxing enough. I know that doctors learn so much more in much more detail.

[Frank]

First off thank you guys for explaining your points in such a manner. I am being sincere as I have come across far too many who scream "idiot" and from there on the entire discussion fails.

It's not that I want doctors to fail or make less. I do understand their over head. I know we get what we pay for. I can take all of these reasons and explain them to my Grandmother but it will not make a difference we she cannot afford what she needs.

I see both sides, I really do but when it comes to Grandma going broke or the doctor how do you choose? Think long term only and ignore the inflated cost that hurts family right now? Support national health or just hope the next folks in power do something different?

Some of us are truly coming from a desperate place, that is why I support it. What are my options? With so many against and so much going on in the nation I cannot possibly hope for the pharmaceutical companies to grow a conscious along with everything else it will take to right the health care situation. If we are hurting right now than what possible consideration can we muster for others? If the whole thing has to melt in my life time so be it, something has to improve, something has to change.

Maybe those same best and brightest will see their lively hoods dwindling and assist in fixing the problem. They have not done it so far. I would not hesitate to join with doctors in correcting the situation , after all no doctors means no profit for pharmaceuticals, etc. Doctors could be one heck of a choke point against greed in health care. We could boycott couldn’t we?

Understanding both sides but still needing an improvement I am left with the question of if not this new health care system then what? I am asking in earnest, I have not come across another option and I am done waiting.

[Frank]

Mommynator... "Grow up, grow a pair..." Or you stealing my quotes?

[Frank]

Mommynator...

"Look past yourself for a change." I am. Not too long ago I was looking right into the face of my Grandfather who died of Mesothelioma.

He was healthy as a horse for years. Tall, slender, fit and active. No smoking, drinking or excessive body fat. He drove a truck his whole life and raised a family of seven.

One day he went to the doctors barely able to breathe. The next day he was in a wheel chair and would remain so. The cancer took his heart and lungs slowly but surely. The asbestos used to build the submarines he served in was determined to be the carcinogen responsible. Of course back in those days in the Navy nobody knew the risk.

To continue treatment the family had to sale his house. He had lived there for over fifty years. That house raised damn near all of us. It went for only $40,000 because without liquidating his assets immediately we could not continue medicade/medicare (which ever he was under at the time).

He kept crying and begging us to just take him home to die. How were we supposed to tell him he had no home left? Kill all of his hope and then what?

I don't care what it takes I am tired of the cost of health care. I dread the day I have my entire life auctioned off for pennies just to receive care and this happens every day all across American.

As a family we gave what we could. We all work, some serve, some don't. My cousin is a doctor, my step brother is a physician's assistant, my aunt and wife are nurses. We are a typical American family, we are good people. We don't "ride the system", we aren't criminals, we aren't lower class but we aren't rich. What are we suppose to do when this sort of thing happens?

I guess it is plain selfish of me to no longer care about the overhead a doctor must pay. The stress of their overhead is nothing compared to liquidating your life just to remain hooked to a machine within this despicable system.

I try to get all the facts, I try to weigh and measure but I have a life. I have a job and I have a family. I have the same things everyone else does so I will go ahead and admit I am not an expert. I try not to weigh it with my heart alone but to the best of my ability I have concluded that the public option is best.

But I guess that is just me not looking beyond myself. Screw everybody and I hope they too have the same experience, is that what you want to hear Mommynator? Never judge my motive without getting the whole story.

[ED]

Frank-
Your story is just plain awful. No family should have to go through what you describe.

You should recognize, though, that many of your concerns will not be addressed by the new legislation. While the law will provide coverage for more Americans-- a real necessity-- it's just not clear what kind of coverage will be available. Basic coverage does not mean that patients will have extensive treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy covered by the government plan.

The politics of this issue are truly maddening, since in their effort to appear budget "neutral", the proponents of this bill have cut Medicare funding for existing services. As your own experiences demonstrate, this does not mean that prices will go down, it means that more patients are going to find that they can't get the services they need without making huge sacrifices.

Furthermore, the insurance companies and pharmaceutical industries have made out like bandits. There have been almost no stipulations added to the law that require them to provide comprehensive or cost effective product, and they will continue to receive special dispensations and tax breaks.

You are focused on physicians, but by your own admission your job and family responsibilities keep you from keeping up on this issue. How can you expect doctors to care for their patients, struggle to pay their staff, stay current with issues like this AND change the state of health care?

Most doctors I know do favor universal coverage-- even if it means making less money. The AMA supported the bill just to make sure that the millions of Americans without coverage would have some help and support.

The problem with the changes is that we're really trying to squeeze blood from a stone. Coverage is being expanded, funding is being cut and the groups who really have the money will still end up profiting from your illnesses and mine. It's not fair to expect Americans to continue to struggle with health care issues and costs (which they will) and ask doctors to struggle to make ends meet while these corporations continue to make money hand over fist.

As an aside, you should read Dr. Hollibaugh's addition at: http://michellemalkin.com/2009/12/20/a-nebraska-doctors-message-for-ben-nelson/.

Remember that when you say you don't care about overhead and costs that it means that office and support staff would have to go without pay and/or health coverage-- perhaps dooming them to the same story you describe above.

Again, the point is really that we all have to take a role in fixing this problem. We've all contributed to the making of this monster (yes, even doctors). But while it may not be clear to you from your experiences, many, many of the physicians that I know make sacrifices daily to help their patients, and I truly believe that most doctors are working hard to help patients and improve on the way things are done-- not to get rich.

[Mommynator]

Let's get one fact straight - the claim that insurance companies and pharma companies have made out like bandits.

They haven't.

Their profit margins are in the single digit range. The profit margins for companies like Apple and Microsoft are in the double digit range, but I don't see anyone condemning that. I have to find the list, but of the top 35 companies in the USA, pharma and insurances were at the bottom.

[Mommynator]

Oh, and the vast majority of the physicians and nurses at Staten Island University hospital are totally OPPOSED to universal healthcare and these bills in particular. The AMA does not represent most physicians.

We see the abuses by PATIENTS more than the abuses from the hospital or doctors. We are a community hospital and we see clinic patients who are better dressed and drive better cars than we do because they know how to cheat the system, depriving people in real need of what they need.

I could tell stories until doomsday. Until you clean them up, until you get rid of stupidly frivolous lawsuits by ambulance chasing anus sniffing lawyer and until healthcare is left up to doctors and patients, you will not solve anything by government interference.

[Mommynator]

As for the mesothelioma - I am sorry for your loss. However, let's get to the root of the problem. Your grandfather was exposed to the asbestos before it was known what the long term effects were. He was not given a respirator or any kind of filtration to breathe through.

That is not the doctor's fault. And he probably was one of those old time tough guys who ignored things until they couldn't be ignored any more. My father-in-law is like that.

So he couldn't ignore his lung problem any more and ended up in the hospital. If he had maybe paid attention earlier, gone for some checkups and maybe some x-rays, he may have been spared a lot of suffering.

You blame the doctor, but he also had a responsibility. Harsh truth? Yes it is. So don't blame the doctors and hospitals 100% for the responsibility your grandfather had to get himself to the doctor earlier.

And the palliative care he received? Well, it had to be paid for. No home? Did you invite him to yours? Would that have been a hardship to you? Probably, but don't scream at the hospitals for having to pay the people who cared for him until he died.

I'm on both ends of the situation. I work in healthcare and I have cared for patients, including my own family.

[Frank]

You may this hard to believe but he literally woke up one day and had a hard time breathing, went to the doctor and a few weeks later never saw home again. It was that aggressive and that fast.

We wanted to take him home, to any of our homes but could not because the doctors had to keep him there which we understood. The point was he had to sale everything and basically jettison himself into poverty to continue care. If you have any sort of asset left they want it gone before they help. Usually this is just pennies on the dollar, it has happens to other families we know.

If a patient like that gets better then what? They have no home, vehicle or lively hood left. It is a horrible situation. I know Mommynator thinks the straight talk is golden but in this case you are wrong. We explored all options every inch of the way and you aren't thinking of anything we hadn't at the time.

I'm not mad at the doctors for not saving him, I understand how cancer progresses and what happened. I am terrified that this will be me someday. I know it all ends and I have made peace with that, the question is how. After this many family members began hiding assets in preparation for their twilight years. We have a lot protected now and anybody can judge that if they want but wait until it's them going through it. Sad we have to hide from our own "helpful" government.

The one thing I can take away from this is that the problem is much larger than I originally understood it to be and I thank each of you. Trust me I read the comments carefully and plan to follow the links given.

I would like to point out one thing here. Ed says the companies are getting ahead on our inevitable failing health, Mommynator says no such luck. Everywhere I go I find contradicting articles and experts. How does a person come to decide that what is in front of them is the entire, solid truth?

One thing is for sure and Mommynator hit it on the head. When I walk into an office I know what insurance covers, I know what the treatment most likely will be (if I have time to read up), I keep careful track of copayments and I am a beast when I have questions. I am polite but I am thorough because it is my health and my dollar.

I'm sure my mechanic, life insurance rep, doctor, day care provider and so on don't really like my persistence when they short change me or mess up. Without concern however nothing gets fixed and I feel I have to be well versed in just about everything to be protected that is the sad part.

With all this litigation, profit, politics, finger pointing, cause and effect... it is enough to make a guy's head spin. Even if I find the root of the problem what can I do about it? Sounds like it is way above my reach.

I share this story because I think there may be a misconception of what type of people are pushing for reform and why. We just don't know what to do about our elderly and dying and are unsure what our golden years hold for us in this respect.

P.S. Yes relatives have lived with us as long as we could reasonably take care of them, like I said we explore all options and we don't just dump our problems on the system from the get go. There does come a point where we can no longer care for them properly.

I thank all of you again. My mind has not changed but I now understand a few more things about it.

[ED]

Frank-
Your willingness to discuss what is clearly a difficult topic for you is a credit to you.

Trust me, Mommynator is a bit off base on some of her assertions. The fact that companies only report single digit profit margins represents misrepresentation of the financial data. There are certainly pharma companies that are struggling, but this represents lack of product development and products going generic more than well managed and compassionate company stances.
The same is true of many insurance companies. Take a look at how much money the top executives get and at their relative overhead if you don't believe me.

This is not to say that there aren't good insurance companies that are run with low overhead and with the patient's best interests at least near the top of the priorities list.

The fact of the matter is that it is a disgrace that a country as wealthy as ours can't provide healthcare to it's citizens. Again, most doctors do support legislation that helps provide this, despite M'nators assertions.

The problem with the current bill is that there are too many unanswered questions and the steps that are being made will probably just make the problem worse (at least in the short run). Very little is being asked of the insurance companies, device manufacturers, pharma industry and lawyers, while doctors, and hospitals are expected to absorb much of the cost of this plan. And believe me-- the funds just aren't there for that.

I don't disagree with you that things need an overhaul-- and anyone that cannot see that there is a problem has no idea what he or she is talking about, as far as I am concerned. The thing to remember is that this is a multi-faceted issue that will require a very long time to fix, and will require sacrifices from many parties. I hope you continue to feel passionately about this issue, and continue to talk to those around you (including your congressmen). We cannot expect this problem to fix itself.

The good news is that it doesn't really matter if you choose to continue to point the finger at doctors-- they will continue to be there to care for you. That's why they went into medicine in the first place.

That's why I went into medicine, anyway.

[Mommynator]

Where am I off base, ED? Tell me specifically. I work in healthcare too. Right in the middle of it all in a hospital. I do authorizations/referrals and billing and deal every day with the gordion knot that is our current system. It's real up close and personal for me.

[Joe]

To Frank and any other person who wants government run health care...I'd rather be homeless and broke than give the OK for the government to run my life. At that is the whole point here. Frank, you are not the only one who complains about high cost of medical expenses. I have them myself. The problem is the GOVERNMENT regulating everything thus MAKING the cost high. Bottom line you will be paying dearly at the end for worst coverage. DO NOT give in to this notion that it will be better and cheaper because that is a falsehood.

I have been with and without insurance many a time during my 60 years and when I did not have it I always got treated or my kids got treated. So you make arrangements to pay. But you get the treatment. With the government run plan you will have to wait in line. Look at the overload the VA as right now to prove my point.

This whole thing is about control. If we do not oppose things like this now then anytime you spent in the service to defend liberty (whether it be here or over seas) is wasted. I'm an American free to choose, free to be as good as I want. Once you take that choice away we are Americans only in name and not in spirit. And soon that too may be changed if the lefties have their way.

Their slogan is: "Yes we can"
Ours should be: "No we won't"

Change, yes, for the better not the worst.

Joe - Viet Vet 1969

[Frank]

To everybody... Beyond writing my congressman what else can I do? The issue is obviously more complex than I originally thought.

[HAHA]

Nice post Joe! I would agree!

And to To Frank... what is being done won't solve anything in the form of your price for healthcare! Mark my words! Healthcare REFORM is what is needed, and nothing in real reform is being performed! Get rid of frivolous lawsuits in the medical industry, and the profit margin of Pharm companies will raise, and prices of prescriptions will fall (basic economy -- but instead we have lawyers walking away with big time cash from every payout from a phram lawsuit). I'm sorry, if you're taking a perscription, is because YOU have a problem. You can't get a good sex drive -- THAT'S YOUR FAULT. You had a heart attack because you took Viagra... THAT'S YOUR FAULT. All meds are tested through the FDA and have to get approved! Mandatory healthcare should have been enforced a long time ago. This WILL cause a huge issue in the coming years, because right now the federal government is going to require healthcare until the year 2015... and all underlying causes will be ignored. That means 5 years of not paying for healthcare again, and free treatment if something 'does' happen to occur to you during that time, and then you will be 'forced' to buy healthcare! Free treatment to illegals... GOOD LUCK WITH THAT! See how much your tax dollars are going to rise! Do some research people... Do you really believe the steps they are taking will cause your treatment to go down in price, while keeping the excellent care, the near no-wait to see a doctor, excellent technology! HAHAHAHAHAH! Check out the lines in Canada... and good luck if you need a pacemaker, or insulin pump... I bet you will hear a nice "Of course we'll get it right too you!"

I laugh at America's ignorance!!!

[Frank]

Again, how do we reform? I'm not being an ass I'm asking in earnest.

[BroKen]

Frank, here's an idea about using true market forces to lower costs.

http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2009/08/healthcare-reform-economics-made-simple.html

Get "other people's money" out of the system (or at least reduce it) and costs will naturally come down.

[Rockford Castleton]

If'n she no likee...findee another profession. She's a D.O. not an M.D. and a new one at that. She writes crudely, proclaims loudly. Neither you nor I would send out that vulgar a missive to our senators. After all, Nelson does want all states to gain the same benefit, which they shall. One cannot win a debate by shouting or screaming - the Republicans are learning that. Medicare has never paid the providers well...where has she been? She should advise her patients that they need to provide supplemental insurance coverage, this is not new. If'n she no wantee Medicare/Medicaid...findee private practice. The "irate" doctor has choices...she should make some instead of showing her ignorance. Yeah, I also read her addendum...more moaning. She loves her rural practice, loves her rural patients then what the heck does she expect - Harley Street? When other doctors were working hard towards earning their M.D.’s I'll bet they asked themselves a zillion times as to what the rewards would be? Why didn't she?

You wanna bet that physicians will NOT leave the profession after health care passes? Yeah, a very few threaten, who cares? As for the most part they're the "specialists" lined up at the current feed trough. They're interested in the all powerful $$$ rather than the patient. Professional dedication? More like blatant greed. And this "irate" doctor sounds disappointed that her chance at that feed trough is being diminished. That's the truth that's hurting her.

If this "irate" doctor is correct in her moaning then just why is the AMA supporting health care reform? Why haven't other doctors voiced their "irateness" on the right wingnut, Michelle Malkin's soapbox of a website? Just where is this overwhelming provider outcry? All I hear is deafening silence, except for the screeching of a few malcontents, such as this "irate" doctor. Sorry, but her noisy squeaking will fail to find any grease.