1) My take on the individual mandate wars between Hillary and Obama: it’s comical. The level of nuance they are arguing about may satisfy the wonks, but it’s over the head of the average voter. In any case, Hillary’s arguments for mandates is leaving her open to attack. Obama’s Harry and Louise ads and Hillary’s “garnishing wages” comment will resonate more with the voters than the importance of an individual mandate.
2) My take on Massachusetts’ Commonwealth Care considering cutting physician reimbursements: it demonstrates a profound of lack of insight by the politicians trying to fix health care. Unbelievably, this plan proposes year-to-year reimbursement increases that lag even Medicaid. Good luck finding any doctor accepting Commonwealth Care, once again making universal coverage useless without physician access.
3) My take on the Presidential candidates ignoring physicians is that they do so at their own peril. Dr. Wes observed that the word “physician” was used only sparingly during the most recent Democratic debate. That’s a shame, since the providers – primary care especially – will be the backbone of any universal coverage plan. Addressing the primary care shortage in any way will go a long way to swaying my vote. But like Massachusetts, it seems that they are willing to learn the hard way. So be it.
4) My take on the Super Bowl is that the Giants were the better team last night. Despite getting outplayed, the Patriots were in good position leading 14-10 with about 3 minutes left. In fact, if they played that exact endgame scenario 10 times, the Patriots would probably win the game in 8 of them. Eli Manning was forced to drive for a touchdown, and he did. There were a few near-interceptions and near-sacks, but I give him credit for pulling it off. Congratulations to New York.
Related posts:
- Mandate wars
- ER visits and health care costs rise in Massachusetts due to lack of primary care access
- Paying to remain uninsured
- Primary care incomes and universal health coverage
- Did the Massachusetts health plan just get bailed out?
- Are the Presidential nominees ignoring primary care?
- My take: Dr. Nurses, supporting universal care
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I wouldn’t conclude that physicians aren’t included in the planning of the candidate’s proposed health care policies based on they did not say the words “physicians” or “doctors” during the debates.
Anon 3:19,
They haven’t ever mentioned fixing the physician shortage, addressing access problems, reimbursement from Uncle Sam. They just like giving the feel good message that once we all get insurance, we’ll all be well taken care of. They’re clueless. And that scares the absolute hell out of me.
I’m a Pats fan in San Diego where there was celebration in the streets today.
It been a long, bad day. Not as bad as Tom Brady’s, but a long, bad day nonetheless.
I’m afraid the Pats waned while the Giants waxed last night. They simply lost the physical game.
Offensive line wherefore art thou?
One way to help with the primary care physician shortage may be to expand drug therapy management that is done by QUALIFIED pharmacists. Chronic disease states such as diabetes, asthma, and heart failure could be managed by a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (a licensed pharmacist with advanced training and testing beyond that of a regular pharmacist) and free up more time for a primary care physician to work on the more acute cases. Just a thought.
i don’t think pharmacist should be doing more and i think most docs feel the same way. i think they are fine in their field, but a complicated diabetic having their care managed by a pharmacist. Can you even see their feet from the pharmacist window? It’s absolutely vital for the exam. Plus do a ophthalmologic exam or a ekg? I guess if you just want to add another appt to the patients list of chronic appts and pull more dollars out of the system, that would be a fine idea.
Chris,
If you wanted to be a physician you should have gone to medical school.
Justin
I totally agree with your point Kevin. If the politicians want to keep jacking up the system. Be my guest. They’ve been screwing it up for decades now. There’s nothing I’d rather see than a total meltdown. And contrary to Pete Stark’s beliefs I can do alot of other things beside medicine. Don’t push me you might not like want you get and you may have no one when you really need it. At least I know I can call in a favor for me and mine. Pete Stark, not so much.
Anonymous: Pharmacotherapy Specialists do not work in retail pharmacies. They work in physician offices and hospitals. If you investigated, you may be surprised at the amount of education and training required to obtain that certification. Also, you may want to Google “Asheville Project” and read a little on whether or not pharmacists are qualified to manage chronic disease states.
Justin: Drug therapy management is part of a clinical pharmacist’s job description. I guess everyone thinks of the old man behind a counter counting pills…it’s just not that way anymore.
Chris,
Yes, I agree, drug therapy management is a pharmacist’s job…in conjunction with a physician who is actually providing patient care.
What you’re proposing sounds like a pharmacist vying for increased income by skirting their scope of practice. Seems like a common theme in health care.
Justin
I agree with physician oversight. I do not advocate the “Minute Clinics” and other retail clinics that do not have a physician present. I like the North Carolina model which has licensed “Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners.” The initial diagnosing and prescribing is done by the physician. Follow ups for drug titration, etc can be done by a CPP that has a practice agreement with that physician. The CPP works for the physician much like a PA or NP.
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