RX: Fighting Back

Morocco - photo by JoAnn Sturman

Scott Sturman
fliesinyoureyes.com


"I observed that in all the discussions that preceded the enslavement of medicine, men discussed everything – except the desires of the doctors."
Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged

One fact is plain: The health care system cannot function without physician participation. Every part of the machine – hospitals, drug companies, medical equipment manufacturers, and patients depend on one profession. Ours is an occupation which requires 7 to 12 years of extensive training after college and then several more to hone clinical skills. We cannot be replaced easily.

Those of us in private practice deliver the bulk of physician services to the country. Our responsibilities not only include our patients, but as business people we provide for our employees and purchase goods and services from community merchants. Implicit in this contract is the willingness to work long hours which often include weekends, nights, and holidays.

The current health care legislation proposed by Congress is supported only by a minority of Americans and its physicians. Organizations like the American Medical Association, whose name far out weighs its level of support among physicians, are used by politicians and the media to distort the manner in which most doctors view the subject. Although most Americans agree the current system is too expensive, they similarly concur this legislation does not solve the problem. Despite these misgivings, the Congressional leadership is intent upon driving a bad idea down our throats.

Many physicians assume it is a forgone conclusion that this blatant attempt to control the health industry is inevitable. We complain privately and with our colleagues, hoping our national organizations will broker a better deal for our individual specialties. For fear of being publicly criticized, we find ourselves in a moral predicament where we are afraid to act decisively to reverse the process. Yet I would argue it is unethical to passively allow bad legislation to become law. Congressional leaders act boldly without fear of recriminations, because they sense our profession is politically complacent.

Barring a referendum at the ballot box, our only recourse at this juncture is to periodically withhold all but emergency services until the country focuses its attention more clearly. We physicians agree costs must be controlled, and patients should have portability of care without exclusion for preexisting medical conditions, but not without tort reform, major changes in the insurance industry, and some patient responsibility for unhealthy lifestyle choices. It is time to protect the independence of our profession, our patients, and our employees by demonstrating our lack of confidence in Congress.

The Congressional leadership will resort to any measure to pass 2000 pages of rules and regulations as quickly as possible. As previously witnessed, bribery, extortion, false promises, and overly optimistic financial projections can be expected. Their arrogance and disdain for the wishes of the voters they represent are without limits. Many of them will have to face an angry electorate this coming November, but until then it is up to the doctors to thwart their mischief.