Doctors Threaten to Go Galt if ObamaCare Passes
It would be a miracle of biblical proportions if Big Government’s minions could decrease costs while increasing coverage, as Democrats have been promising to do when they seize control of the healthcare industry. What will make cost savings even more improbable is that they will have to do it with a radically reduced supply — because doctors unwilling to labor as government slaves have promised to go Galt:
Four of nine doctors, or 45%, said they “would consider leaving their practice or taking an early retirement” if Congress passes the plan the Democratic majority and White House have in mind.
More than 800,000 doctors were practicing in 2006, the government says. Projecting the poll’s finding onto that population, 360,000 doctors would consider quitting.
The IBD/TIPP poll also found that 2/3 of doctors oppose ObamaCare, despite the lies being spewed on your dime by NPR.
The poll contradicts the claims of not only the White House, but also doctors’ own lobby — the powerful American Medical Association — both of which suggest the medical profession is behind the proposed overhaul. …
It also differs with findings of a poll released Monday by National Public Radio that suggests a “majority of physicians want public and private insurance options,” and clashes with media reports such as Tuesday’s front-page story in the Los Angeles Times with the headline “Doctors Go For Obama’s Reform.”
Surprisingly, only 71% of doctors answered “no” when asked whether they could swallow that “the government can cover 47 million more people and that it will cost less money and the quality of care will be better.” The rest must be Democrats, like they all will be after ObamaCare is rammed through and hospitals turn into the DMV.
Becoming a doctor isn’t easy. Who is going to do it in the future, when our socialist rulers have destroyed every incentive? It will make more sense just to apply for a job at the post office than endure the rigors of medical school and residency. This is yet another reason that socialism simply does not work. But at least we’ll have no shortage of useless bureauweenies telling us how to live and when to die.
On tips from AmericanToTheCore and Henry. Hat tip: Michelle Malkin. Cross-posted at Moonbattery.
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Posted by Van Helsing on September 16, 2009 11:34 am
» Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Anti-Capitalism, Barack Obama, Democrats, Government corruption, Government malfeasance/misfeasance, Healthcare, Marxism, Nanny State, News, Polls, Social Engineering, Socialism, Unconstitutional, liberalism
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13 Responses to “Doctors Threaten to Go Galt if ObamaCare Passes”
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Syndicate Me
I believe even more nurses will “Go Galt” or maybe even channel Dagny if ObamaCare passes. I will be one of them. I am practicing my “do you want fries with that” sales pitch for my next job.
Personally I would rather have Doctor’s and Nurses caring for me that are in it because they truly care about people not in it for the $’s.
I would rather be represented by politicians who were not in it for the money!
Facts is, Lisa, that what you are paid is a measure of what you are worth. If you take away the pay–the reward–that doctors get for their endless schooling, long hours and willingness to put up with ever-intruding government regulations, the good doctors will just quietly leave. Minds require freedom to work, not force.
To quote John Galt: “We men of the mind do not need you. We have never needed you”.
Lisa, that’s exactly who you won’t get. If there is rationing, which is implicit in this healthcare reform, the doctors are the one on the front line. That means I would be the one telling someone their child is not getting treatment, because the government won’t pay for it. That’s what will drive the good doctors out. It’s not the money. I couldn’t live with myself in that system. Time to open my bakeshop!
I am an MD, and I believe the real scope of the problem is actually under stated. It is true that most MD’s I know who are 50+ years old have said they will retire should this pass. What about young MDs? They will no longer take ER call so they will not be available for the late night acute abdomen or the weekend ER patient. Access will be SUBSTANTIALLY reduced. How does Obamacare compensate? Well, I envision a situation where MOST primary care MD’s are replaced by PA’s or nurse practitioners. Actaully getting to see and MD will be very tough and only for the very ill. I envision even minor surgeries being performed by PA’s, and not true surgeons. Your gallbladder and appendix will be removed by someone who is not an MD. Thise will be especially true as the MD’s stop taking ER call.
Folks, you think the wait to see MD’s is long in Canada or England? You haven’t seen ANYTHING yet.
Lisa,
That sounds “noble” but tell me why people would take on (on average) $155,000 of student loan debt (the most recent figure), spend the prime of their lives working 80+ hours a week away from home and young children, then get out and struggle to make ends meet while still having awful hours, the threat of lawsuits, and the burden of student loan debt? The “noble” aspect doesn’t pay your bills or let you spend time with your family. Plus, believe me when I say MANY patients are not a joy to see be it the chronic drug seeker, the 14 year old pregnant girl or the 375 woman who can’t understand why she has chronic knee pain. It’s not nearly as rewarding as it once was, and believe it or not, financial incentives are important.
Plus, MD’s are a drop in the bucket in the cost of health care (less than 2% in the most recent analysis), but are at the core, the most essential link.
Why Senator Jim Demint’s Rules Matter And How To Kill Reconcilation. Spineless Elitists Vs. The Grassroots
Keep the following in mind: Force the Democrats to defend a rule they agreed to. They have absolutely no ground to stand on. Republicans must make an issue of this. For those who believe the Jim Demint Amendments are a non-issue, NOT TRUE.
A suggestion:
Think of a clerk you had to deal with at the Social Security office or auto license branch…and then imagine he or she is your doctor.
This is what ObamaCare has in mind for you. Cut costs? Sure! The Boy President will just make all doctors government employees with Civil Service wages to match.
I’ve been a scrub nurse for 35 years. Maybe a few P.A.s can do it but not most. I can close a patient but I wouldn’t want myself as a surgeon. The politicians will get their specialist. Drs stopped doing surgery in 1974 when insurance companies raised rates sky high. They will stop doing surgery, trust me.
I just sent a letter to my senator and congressman to stop the madness! I work in healthcare and this will not work. You do the math, you can not have less providers and more patients, people will suffer and some will die while waiting for care. Everyone needs to write their senator and congressman to block what our socialist/marxist President is trying to do to our country!
Lisa, after dedicating 12 or more years to becoming a specialists they are in it for money as well as passion. You know the doc that gets a call at 2AM when a 2 headed 4 armed baby is born? He will leave. He will not do his job for peanuts. Once again we will have freak shows…ever read Water for Elephants? Nothing better than a parasitic person living on ones chest…It will no longer be removed.
Sharon, do you think they really care? I have a friend in Washington. Believe me much of what is sent is simply tossed and disregarded.
Monica,
you are so right. My son worked as intern one summer for Congressman Kasich from OHIO and he told me they open envelopes to look for a check and pitch the rest.