Response to: "Why the Doctor Won't See You Now"

Back in December 2008 I wrote a response on my then Facebook account to an article I read in the L.A. Times that can be found here.

Nowhere in this article is there talk about how the health insurance companies are screwing medical providers left and right. Also states like Massachusetts require a mandatory health insurance coverage for every resident, while many residents suffer under a misrepresentation of the facts with regard to the health insurance offered.

When I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to help people, find cures and contribute to the greater cause of humanity. Working behind the scenes (HMO, major hospital, clinic, and medical equipment provider) I witnessed how both medical providers and recipients were being screwed across the board. Meanwhile, someone is making money, yes?

Viewing this article is a testament to how many individual physicians are not the recipients of such wealth, and nor are their patients; thus, again where is all the money going? 

Major hospital networks and physician groups have some of the best lunches provided by pharmaceutical companies and are given loads of Vegas style "comp" items (notepads, calendars, pens etc).

Notice how the physician interviewed joined a major physician's group, which is probably on the major HMO,PPO, POP provider lists for in-network co-pays. At a major hospital in my region, the main objective of the all-hospital meeting was to discover ways to increase  the hospital bed turnover rate. 

That's jacked up, but the hospital is out to make money because it is a business. Yes, there is a pool of "free-care" money allotted by major hospitals for those who cannot afford care, but that's if you want to take a gamble  to see if you qualify.

Mind you the doctor interviewed still owes 80G's to student loans, never mind malpractice insurance. As for residents of Massachusetts who are required to have health insurance, I have friends whose hours have been reduced to a point that does not meet their company's requirements for health insurance coverage. I tell them the state's medicaid program is for "everyone" not just welfare recipients and pregnant women, but the old social stigma is hard to overcome.

There are also thousands of newly unemployed citizens across the country who cannot afford the ridiculously offered benefits of Cobra. So, what should be on America's wish list for Consumer-Mas? I believe America needs to revamp its health care system on a nation-wide level. Not possible? Yes, it is because they have no trouble with revamping Medicare (often if you consider how the Medicare guidelines have changed within ten years alone).

Do I have a plan in mind? Nope, I'm not a specialist in the field, just an observer, a participant, a recipient, a patient, and a concerned citizen. Lot of people hating on socialist systems, but I like the idea of not worrying about my health :-P