Do you think our government is afraid of doctors and have created laws to keep t

1. 79

   flacoinohioposted 11 years ago

   Do you think our government is afraid of doctors and have created laws to keep them under control?
   
   Politicians have successfully managed to keep doctors from gaining too much power.  They are limited on how much they can lobby, they cannot form unions for purposes other than  ensuring they are compensated fairly.  The unions that have been formed are not permitted to have collective bargaining and independent business/practices are not allowed to band together to set prices.  With the federal government leading the way in failing to pay for services it is no wonder that the cost of medical care is rising.

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2. 83

   Attikosposted 11 years ago

   I think government bears no particular fear of or animosity toward doctors. It is, however, pandering to large numbers of people who are deluded that security in this world is possible, that politicians can give it to them, and that because they want it at the expense of others health care is a right. Overcoming doctors' ability to stand in the way of that political objective has lead government progressively (ahem) to regulate, bully and buy their compliance by whatever means have been necessary.

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3. 74

   d.williamposted 11 years ago

   NO.  many physicians are in private practice, others are independent contractors in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc.. , there is no reason for them to form a union.
   Those who are employed by hospitals and other businesses are discouraged from forming unions, just as all other employees who work for them are.
   The government has little control over doctors other than if they should attempt to fix prices then they would be subject to government penalties under anti trust laws. 
   Your last statement regarding "the fed gov leading the way in failing to pay...." is simply not true.  This kind of rhetoric is from the right wing conservatives to try and discredit what they consider 'entitlement programs'.  There is so much disinformation being spread around, one hardly knows what is truth anymore.

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4. 79

   flacoinohioposted 11 years ago

   So why is the government cutting medicare payments to doctors by 27%?

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      d.williamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      can you show me something specific to back up this claim?

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   2. 79

      flacoinohioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The Budget Control Act of 2011 does this.  Currently the cuts have been suspended, but as of January 01, those Medicare cuts go into effect.  They can range anywhere from 27.4% up 32%, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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