I've got some opinions about health care in America that I want to share. We have the best system in the world--that's why everyone comes here from all corners of the globe for care, especially for rare or difficult disorders.
Unfortunately the health care system has been taken over by the health insurance industry. I believe that the health insurance companies are making a fortune on the misfortunes of others. I am so tired of denials of coverage and huge premiums to pay for care.
I believe that the health insurance industry is the most to blame for the spiraling health care costs in this country.
My grandfather was the President of the AMA during the Nixon administration. He met the President and travelled to Russia and China. Both my parents were physicians.
I remember my father talking about how the practice of medicine was changing. In a way, he was trying to encourage me to become a physician so that I could take care of myself and my family as the changes took place. But I didn't heed his warnings.
My father was the epitome of the loved and loving doctor that everyone dreams of having today. People called him at all hours of the day and night. He spoke to them on the phone directly, eased their concerns and called in prescriptions. He went to the hospital to meet them in the emergency room if they needed to be admitted to the hospital. Can you imagine that kind of care today?
I haven't spoken to a physician on the phone to get a prescription after hours or on weekends in years . I always have to talk to a nurse. There is no doctor that I know at the emergency department if I'm to be admitted to the hospital. Even getting follow-up appointments at doctor's offices can be a trial. So my feelings about physicians and their salaries have changed a good deal. However, I don't believe that they are the true cause of the problem.
Nor is the fact that "unnecessary" tests are run on patients. I have been appalled that more tests aren't run to find out what is really going on with patients. But physicians are not allowed to do their work and choose the tests that they need to find out what is happening. Insurance companies make those decisions for them through intimidation.
So I favor any program that regulates the health insurance industry. It is LONG overdue.
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5 months ago



