The “crisis” is caused by several factors:
1) “Take all comers” rule – evrery doctor must be allowed isnurance if he has a license. This prevents companies from entering the market
2) HMO strength – the reimbursements for physicians are some of the lowest in the country! OB GYN’s receive $ 1,900 per birth versus $ 4,200 five years ago. You can not pay your bills if you are not paid enough to make a profit
3)Legislature controlled by lawyers protecting lawyer’s income. Legislature reform ONLY IF MEANINGFUL will alleviate the problem, not cure it.
Unfortunately the rhetoric from the AMA cannot be believed. The August report on med mal “crisis” by the GAO was very critical of the AMA and their failure to tell the truth. The GAO found that more doctors were practicing than what the AMA reported and the GAO found doctors who according to the AMA had left their practice to still be in the same location practicing. When asked to review documentation however, the AMA refused.
There are still those in power in the medical profession who truly believe doctors should be treated as a protected class and not held accountable for errors. Only when this profession admits they are not gods and accept responsibility and removes bad practioners, will they see rate relief and a reduction in litigation.
The “crisis” is caused by several factors:
1) “Take all comers” rule – evrery doctor must be allowed isnurance if he has a license. This prevents companies from entering the market
2) HMO strength – the reimbursements for physicians are some of the lowest in the country! OB GYN’s receive $ 1,900 per birth versus $ 4,200 five years ago. You can not pay your bills if you are not paid enough to make a profit
3)Legislature controlled by lawyers protecting lawyer’s income. Legislature reform ONLY IF MEANINGFUL will alleviate the problem, not cure it.
Unfortunately the rhetoric from the AMA cannot be believed. The August report on med mal “crisis” by the GAO was very critical of the AMA and their failure to tell the truth. The GAO found that more doctors were practicing than what the AMA reported and the GAO found doctors who according to the AMA had left their practice to still be in the same location practicing. When asked to review documentation however, the AMA refused.
There are still those in power in the medical profession who truly believe doctors should be treated as a protected class and not held accountable for errors. Only when this profession admits they are not gods and accept responsibility and removes bad practioners, will they see rate relief and a reduction in litigation.