Hi Skeet,
>>>>>so, what is the solution? i don't know (at least i'll admit it). it would take a lot of expertise, knowledge, facts and time that i don't have to devote to this issue to come up with a reasoned solution<<<<<
Thanks for a well-reasoned post. I hope you won't feel attacked if I voice my opinion that how much doctors are paid ought not be a public policy question.
Unless you work for the government, or contract with the government, your pay is a matter between your customer and you, or your employer and you. The free market sets your pay rate, in other words.
Physicians should not be singled out, and forced to accept the dictates of government. None of us would like hearing people debate our compensation, and none but those who have money, and are the objects of envy, have to.
On the other hand, if they expect to be compensated by insurance companies, then they need to accept the fact that insurance companies have certain advantages in the deal-making, that is, advantages of scale, ability to walk away from a deal, ability to hire people full-time with negotiating talent, etc.
Doctors don't like it because they want to practice medicine, and they miss the old days when Blue Cross just paid the bill. Well, times change, and we all have to change with the times, for better or worse.
Burke pointed out that Medicare has even more bargaining power. I might point out that the federal government has a way of getting what it wants, if only due to sheer staying power, as those at the receiving end of a federal investigation can concur.<g?>
I think your point about the artificial limit on physicians was very well taken.
CobaltBlue |
