This article from ZDNet is interestingly insightful in that it recognizes the stress currently afflicting nearly all the various medical professions. If the current trends continue or even accelerate (which I believe entirely feasible) we will all be in for a rude awakening when there is nobody left to treat us or at the very least participate in our insurance plans. Unless a reasonable methodology for compensation for medical professionals is developed Universal Health Care will be like throwing a party where nobody shows up.
Friday, June 20, 2008
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1 comments:
Mark,
The reason the united states is not troubled with doctors' strikes is because of laws that prohibit collective bargaining by independent actors.
When we (healthcare professionals and the public) recognize that we are really 50% government employees (minus the benefits and pensions) then we may get a break.
Before you flog me for advocating socialized medicine let me point out that truly socialized countries (like Japan) have consumer out-of-pocket expenditures of 2-3% of every healthcare dollar (vs. USA at 40%) and yet Japan provides nearly all of its outpatient healthcare from private clinics.
I think the true answer is a case rate.
Let me know exactly what I'm getting paid - every time.
Don't make me 'game the system' by allocating resources to maximize revenues.
Let's minimize the focus on financial care and maximize the focus on the patient care.
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