22 replies to this topic

[MaryAM]

name='*JB*' post='529287' date='Jun 14 2010, 10:27 PM'=============================== Over the last several weeks, I've talked to 3 of my family's doctors -- and my Nephew who's also a MD. 2 have stopped -- and the other two are seriously considering not -- taking Medicare patients anymore. That was before this. Yep, Medical Insurance reform -- with the $500 Billion Medicare cut alone -- is going to make it just great for older folk or parents/grand parents. "This means 37 MILLION Americans are facing increased -- and growing -- rationing of medical care...people are going to die due to this. (Yeah AARP) Unless they are independently wealthy, or have families that are, they have NO other choice but to rely on medicare and "take what they get"." And it sounds like your family is going to lead the charge into "killing people" because they won't accept medicare any more. What a bunch of greedy ******* Maybe they should have their licenses revoked and go practice in another country. Mary Anne

[*JB*]

And it sounds like your family is going to lead the charge into "killing people" because they won't accept
medicare any more. What a bunch of greedy *******
Maybe they should have their licenses revoked and go practice in another country.


Mary Anne

You might want to take a remedial reading course. These were 3 doctors that my family goes to -- family'S doctors -- not members of my family. Also, my nephew is a MD, employed by a clinic that has control over what they take or do not take -- he has NO control...he was just telling me what THEY were going to do.

================
BTW -- From today USA today

Doctors limit new Medicare patients
USA Today --

WASHINGTON — The number of doctors refusing new Medicare patients because of low government payment rates is setting a new high, just six months before millions of Baby Boomers begin enrolling in the government health care program.

<snip>

• The American Medical Association says 17% of more than 9,000 doctors surveyed restrict the number of Medicare patients in their practice. Among primary care physicians, the rate is 31%.
===============

It was about 4-5% of primary care MDs 20 years ago. What I see by the stats in the article quoted, is GROWING RATIONING of medical care for seniors.

BTW -- to MM, your Medicare billing should be re-mbursed at 21% less than last month since the House has decided NOT to repeal the Medicare doctor payment cuts.

[maineman]

BTW -- to MM, your Medicare billing should be re-mbursed at 21% less than last month since the House has decided NOT to repeal the Medicare doctor payment cuts. I'm okay with that. Just have to run a tigheter ship. I love my old folks. Medicare will sort itself out. It always does. I am in solo practice, I'm not greedy, I love medicine and I like my patients. So no problems for me. mm

[*JB*]

BTW -- to MM, your Medicare billing should be re-mbursed at 21% less than last month since the House has decided NOT to repeal the Medicare doctor payment cuts.

I'm okay with that. Just have to run a tigheter ship. I love my old folks. Medicare will sort itself out. It always does. I am in solo practice, I'm not greedy, I love medicine and I like my patients. So no problems for me.

mm

MM --

Good for you! I'm glad you can afford, and are willing, to deal with lower pay. So far, the glass half full part is that 59% are still taking Medicare.

One note, about 20 million of the people that are supposed to get insured under health care reform will be under medicare (some medicaid) -- adding to the big jump in the baby boomers -- meeting the continued shrinking doctor pool, leads me to see rationing as a BIG problem in just a few years.

Maybe not as much in the low population states like Maine, a special state indeed (stay there a couple months every year), but will hit the areas where largest amount of people in the US live.

I also wonder if finding good specialists -- and having their medical needs covered (Including palliative care) -- might become a growing layer of problems for those patients of sole practitioners who do continue on into the future taking medicare.

Edited by *JB*, 24 June 2010 - 08:46 PM.

[*JB*]

BTW -- to MM, your Medicare billing should be re-mbursed at 21% less than last month since the House has decided NOT to repeal the Medicare doctor payment cuts.

I'm okay with that. Just have to run a tigheter ship. I love my old folks. Medicare will sort itself out. It always does. I am in solo practice, I'm not greedy, I love medicine and I like my patients. So no problems for me.

mm

MM --

BTW --

The house just passed an extention -- Thursday evening -- of the temporary (has been temporary for years) stay of execution of the 21% medicare MD paycut...IOW, no cuts for now.

JB

Edited by *JB*, 25 June 2010 - 06:29 PM.

[maineman]

As I said earlier they would. My last post to you, however, was "moderated". Were we to get "Medicare for all", which is what all doctors want, the AMA, Amer Nursing Association, American College of Physicians, and the rest of us who actually take care of people want, we'd be able to get on with taking care of people. Instead of spending our days doing battle with the private health insurers who are only in it for the money and their shareholders, so they work to deny care and critical coverage in order to protect their bottom lines. Unfortunately there are those in congress who would rather deny this coverage to all. I'm not allowed to say who they are, otherwise I get "moderated". So it goes. mm

[OEXCHAOS]

If all Doc's want "medicare for all" how come the ones I talk do don't? Assertion of consensus is a common tactic when the argument is philosophically bankrupt. And that's all I have to say about that. Mr. Gump

[maineman]

Bankrupt I am then. For wanting to provide healthcare to all at a fair price. Forgive my kindness. You must be talking to those greedy docs. I am quoting facts, jack. Check the position of the AMA, American Nursing Association, American College of Physicians, and more. And wake up, Joe. We live in a large country with a diverse population. We have the money and the sytems in place to provide good healthcare to all of our citizens. Are you so selfish and libertarian that you really are against that? Don't get me wrong. You are entitled to your opinion. But where's the good neighbor in you? Is it a bad thing to ensure the health of your community? mm

[OEXCHAOS]

Bankrupt I am then. For wanting to provide healthcare to all at a fair price. Forgive my kindness. You must be talking to those greedy docs. I am quoting facts, jack. Check the position of the AMA, American Nursing Association, American College of Physicians, and more. And wake up, Joe. We live in a large country with a diverse population. We have the money and the sytems in place to provide good healthcare to all of our citizens. Are you so selfish and libertarian that you really are against that? Don't get me wrong. You are entitled to your opinion. But where's the good neighbor in you? Is it a bad thing to ensure the health of your community?

mm

Huh. I did say philosophically bankrupt. I'll stand by that based upon your comments above.

What part of kindness and fairness is it to steal money from some folks to give a product to others? What part of forced rationing and involuntary servitude is kind? THAT is what you advocate, despite your evasions of reality.

A good neighbor doesn't steal to "do good". That you feel good about the prospect proves my point.

Sorry, I was wrong, that's NOT all I had to say about that...

[maineman]

Wellwell

Bankrupt I am then. For wanting to provide healthcare to all at a fair price. Forgive my kindness. You must be talking to those greedy docs. I am quoting facts, jack. Check the position of the AMA, American Nursing Association, American College of Physicians, and more. And wake up, Joe. We live in a large country with a diverse population. We have the money and the sytems in place to provide good healthcare to all of our citizens. Are you so selfish and libertarian that you really are against that? Don't get me wrong. You are entitled to your opinion. But where's the good neighbor in you? Is it a bad thing to ensure the health of your community?

mm

Huh. I did say philosophically bankrupt. I'll stand by that based upon your comments above.

What part of kindness and fairness is it to steal money from some folks to give a product to others? What part of forced rationing and involuntary servitude is kind? THAT is what you advocate, despite your evasions of reality.

A good neighbor doesn't steal to "do good". That you feel good about the prospect proves my point.

Sorry, I was wrong, that's NOT all I had to say about that...

well big difference in ideology and philosophy. I feel a commitment to help others. I don't see it your paranoid way as "stealing... forced rationing.... involuntary servitude..." Medicare has been caring for our elderly for decades now and thank ******* for that. The VA system takes care of our Veterans and has been doing a great job. And getting better. We are a good people, essentially, and there's room in our hearts and in our pocketbooks to help one another. I'm glad I've got my rsoeier colored glasses on. I think I sleep better. No one is "stealing" unless you are opposed to paying taxes and living in America.
mm
And btw, I'm off to France for a bit to enjoy the fruits of my bear strategy. Hope you all stay on the right side of the markets and the right side of morality.

mm