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Doctors' Work Stoppage
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 04-30-2003, 3:52 PM
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What do you think of the work stoppage by Pennsylvania doctors to bring attention to the medical malpractice problem in the state?
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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Crystal27
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05-22-2003, 7:21 PM
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I completely agree with the decision that the physicians have made. As far as charging "an arm and a leg" for services, most of the public is not aware of how little the physician actually gets back from the insurance company from their services. Physicians simply are getting to the point where they cannot afford to pay the extremely high malpractice insurance in addition to all of the other costs that they have to run a practice. If our car insurance went up the way the malpractice insurance did for the physicians, we would certainly want to do something about it.
Crystal
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bookman24
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05-21-2003, 2:13 PM
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We already believe that health care costs are too high. For a routine visit, most doctors charge...pardon the pun...an arm and a leg.
If these malpractice suits keep increasing in number and the doctors keep forking over more and more money, where do think that is going to come from? The doctors will certainly raise praise, making things worse for the patient.
Don't get me wrong, I believe most physicians are worth their weight in gold, but they are only human and they are going to resort to getting money to pay for these law suits in any way they can. Who can blame them?
These lawsuits need to have a cap added to them, as do the costs of visits, prescriptions, etc. We are in dire need of a reformed health care plan, whether it is on a state level or a national level.
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andscott
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05-19-2003, 10:27 PM
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Let me first say that I agree that medical lawsuits are out of hand and something needs to be done. My problem with the work stoppage is that, while I see the doctors of PA pointing fingers at lawyers and insurance companies, I do not see or hear them acknowledging their ownership in the problem. There is enough blame to go around. While there are good doctors here, there are also some very poor, negligent doctors as well. There are doctors here that should not be in practice period and I have either experienced them or heard from others about them.
I came from a different part of the country six year ago where, quite frankly, the medical attention is a grade above what I have encountered here. In my native state, the values are that certain vocations are for the "cream of the crop" and noble. The medical profession is for those who want to help and serve. I have encountered several doctors here that I honestly can say were more concerned about their net profit and how the insurance viewed them than the my concerns. Simply put, blue collar workers and greedy thugs strike. Not professionals who have clout and knowledge to negotiate conflict resolution in a professional manner.
I am sorry to see the medical profession here in such a state. I love living here but have developed a distrust in the doctors and at times have concerned driving 900 miles to my native state for care. The saddest part is that I know that I am not alone.
Kind Regards, AndScott
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Work'nGirl
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05-17-2003, 5:33 AM
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It is no wonder that insurance premiums are so high, the state of today health care is awful. I go to the doctor's office with my fiance and always have to remind the doctor that he is allergic to pennicillin when they try to prescribe it. If they would just read his chart, they would know that too. It isn't rocket science. I called my ob/gyn the other day to check on a problem that I was having, and the nurse there told me that they had prescribed antibiotics for what they said was a yeast infection.(They hadn't actually done that, but it would not have been the correct treatment. It took me several day to get an answer out of them what they actually had done)I went to them for a consultation which turned out to consist of a video of info I had already found on the internet. They charged me $50. What a rip off. As far as I am concerned every office I've visited is guilty of "malpractice" to a certain degree.
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pmtbf
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05-10-2003, 9:29 PM
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I believe Doctor earns what they are paid and should not be penalized by the real cause of the problems. Greedy insurance companies and lawyers.
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pin219
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05-07-2003, 10:32 PM
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Unfortunately it is obvious that most people in the state of PA do not realize what is happening with the medical malpractice crisis. I happen to work for a fine group of physicians and I can assure you that they want to stay in PA and take care of the patients that they have come to know and whose trust they have rightfully earned. I only wish that people could see the facts and forget about their own jealousy regarding a physician's salary. Everyone is quick to point out the higher tax bracket that these dedicated professionals are living in. But does anyone fully understand the sacrifice that has led them to this station in life?If I had pursued a career as a physician, you can believe that I would expect to be respected and compensated for my contribution to society. We have no problem with giving millions to someone who can throw a baseball or drive a race car. But when it comes to someone who can perform life-saving surgery, we snub them when they ask for the slightest relief in the penalties that they are required to pay simply because of their profession. And it applies to ALL DOCTORS! Not just the ones who have made mistakes. They are ALL PENALIZED.When your neighbor wrecks his automobile, does YOUR auto insurance increase? NO! Sure, there are a few bad seeds in the medical profession, but they are a very slim minority. Most of us receive top of the line competent healthcare. When all of the intelligent lawyers and state legislators have rendered PA with no healthcare, I certainly hope that they are proud of themselves and I hope that they have made their peace with God for what they have done to the innocent people. People like me. And my family. People who need doctors. I, for one, am not afraid to admit that I need them a heck of a lot more than they need me. Think about it.
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Dewey8
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05-07-2003, 11:04 AM
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I am behind the doctors 100%. I believe that too many people look for flaws in their care just to get their hands into some deep pockets. Of course the lawyers are the only people winning at this game. People need to realize that doctors are leaving the state for a more friendly environment to do business.
As for the people that believe the doctors are making too much money, if you put as much effort into your life as they have, you'd likely feel differently. I've had major surgery and these people work miracles and are worth every penny. If you want continued access to high quality medical care, we need to fix the system.
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Dug1
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05-07-2003, 6:26 AM
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I'd have to support the Doctors on this one. I agree they make alot of money, but I don't think just anyone can become a Doctor either. They have unique skills and have a direct impact on society. As for the walk-out....they needed a collective voice. Nobody cared when Caterpillar or other Unions go on strike. Can you imagine the power consumers would have over prices if we were "organized" ?? I believe the that in insurance settlements, the restitution should match the injury, not simply "set the family up for life".
Doug
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jclinton63
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05-03-2003, 6:58 AM
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I support the doctors 100%.I think the greedy trial lawyers and the insurance companys are mostly responsible for this problem.At the same time only a small portion of doctors are involved in lawsuits.The rest of the doctors have a responsiblity to weed out the bad apples.If this happened the greedy lawyers would lose a lot of easy bucks.The lawyers are saying that they are concerned about the clients well being,B.S.They're concerned about how much money they can make from the misfortunes of others.
THANKS FOR LISTENING JOHN
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islandkinj
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05-03-2003, 6:45 AM
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I think people in this day and age sue for everything trying to make a quick buck. However I know there are real claims out there, someone should start an agency run by impartial parties to investigate and approve or disapprove law suits against doctors and medical staff. I also believe someone needs to police the insurance companies.
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