Texas has seen more specialty and family physicians since caps started

Texas has seen an influx of specialty and family physicians since caps were put into place

“Texas has gained 3,000 doctors since the reforms passed two years ago, he said, citing Texas State Board of Medical Examiner data . . .

. . . Hidalgo County has gained 69 physicians, including 10 pediatricians, eight gastroenterologists and four oncologists. Cameron County has accrued 59 physicians, including seven internists, seven anesthesiologists and five obstetricians.” (via PointofLaw.com)

Comments

Anonymous
But wait, CJD has lectured us multiple times that doctors don’t leave states without caps to practice in states that have caps. How can it be happening in Texas???
Anonymous
Dude, just remember – it’s all in yer head. There is NO malpractice crisis. The figures are all wrong – it’s a conspiracy you see. The AMA is involved. Just follow the money. The data that show the “truth” are all BS (*unless sponsored by ATLA and related organizations). Remember – trial lawyers are the best thing that ever happened to anyone. Lawsuits are good for everyone. Have a lawsuit. Today.
Elliott
Texas is one of the fastest growing states with less physicians per capita than average for the US. In 2003 the population of Texas physicians was approximately 48,000. Texas has been growing at a cumulative annual growth rate of 2.5% to 3% for many years. According to the Statistical Abstract, there were 42,027 in 2000. There were 43,094 in 2001, There were 44,315 in 2002. Doing ab bit of math, that was an increase of 2,288 or 5.4% in the two years prior when there was a malpractice crisis and no caps. Subsequently there was added an addition 3000 or about 6.8%. The difference being, at best 1.4% or about 600 physicians. That may be significant, but hardly earth shattering. Without further study, there is no reason to attribute the growth in Texas physician population to anything other than Texas population growth and a reversion to the mean for per capita coverage.
Elliott
Just remember IT IS ALL IN YER HEAD.
So I went and read the article just to see what the reporter had actually done and I noted that the number used was 38035 so I thought that my use of the Statistical Abstracts number would be challenged. To preclude this argument, I went to the same place that the reporter got her numbers. That number is 38035 for May, 2003 and 41049 for May, 2005. Only problem is that the number for May, 2001 is 34950 meaning that the absolute number increase in the receeding two years before caps was greater than the number post caps and the percentage increase was also greater. I’m glad I checked that because it validates my sense that the article was questionable at best.
Check it out yourself.
http://www.tsbme.state.tx.us/demo/docs/docdemo.htm
Anonymous
Elliot,
This has nothing to do with the total number of docs practicing in TX but is about the physician increase in the ambulancing-chasing war zones like the Valley where more physicians are desperately needed. Thankfully, it appears that they are finally coming back.
Elliott
Huh? The article clearly stated that malpractice caps helped bring physicians to TX at an increased rate. The data clearly shows otherwise.
Elliott
By the way, the site that I gave before also has the specialty breakdown by county and the results for Cameron and Hidalgo county pre-caps vs. post-caps. The result is the same. Gains were greater in the pre-cap time period compared to the post-cap time period. I really don’t understand this fascination with tort reform when the facts don’t bear out any of the arguments made. It’s not evil CJD advocating for trial lawyers. It’s irrational hype with a political and economic agenda trumping facts.
Anonymous
Hey Elliot, I’m still waiting for you to post a link to the online job analysis for a physician you said you read in the other topic (June 28th news, “suicide rate for doctors”).
After you do so, I will respond to the rest of your post, as promised.
Elliott
That’s just B.S. You promised more of a response to my comment and your wrote nothing. It’s easy to find via google so I’m not inclined to make your life easier especially given that you insulted me in your previous comment. Your anonymous informal question to HR with no documentation reporting back a result that is counterintuitive is not worthy of a reply.
Anonymous
So basically you were lying about having found a job analysis for a physician online? Okay, then– no need to beat around the bush about it.
I promised more of a response AFTER I saw the link you were speaking of. I never got it, hence I didn’t waste my time. Don’t blame me because you were too lazy to produce the link (or, what’s more likely, were simply lying).
As for me “insulting” you, when was that? You last reply was civil enough in tone, indicating that you weren’t too upset about anything I had said previously. Further, my last substantial post therein, which you replied to, contained no insult at all. Anyone is free to go see for themselves.
It seems to me that you got caught in a lie and cannot produce the link you asserted that you had. The reason I stated that “any job analysis method” would show that physicians are underpaid is becausethe HR department I worked in performed said analysis using various, commonplace methods– not just one sort of job analysis method. They all arrived at similar conclusions– conclusions which, apparently, are contradicted by an online job analysis you’ve found.
All I’ve asked for is the link to said analysis. You have failed to provide it. Ergo, you’re either a liar or a person who’s fond of making explicit claims and failing to back them up.
Either way, tou lose.
Anonymous
Err, “you lose,” that is.
Anonymous
Sounds like ZZ has gone ‘anonymous.’ Calling people liars over and over is a pretty poor excuse for reasoned discussion.
Anonymous
Get your facts straight. I’m not “ZZ,” and I tried to have a reasoned debate; unfortunately, my opponent made a claim and refused to provide a link he said he had. There are a limited number of conclusions which can be drawn from that. So, though it’s a bit gauche of me to call someone a “liar,” if the shoe fits…
Curious JD
Texas has gained physicians every year, regardless of caps.
Besides, since we’ve been told over and over by physicians that rates aren’t affected by caps until all the legal challenges are over, why would they matter now. The first challenges haven’t even hit the appellate courts.
Can’t have it both ways, guys. At least be intellectually honest.

Texas has seen more specialty and family physicians since caps started

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