The politicization of the NEJM

Let’s not over react. First of all, there are absolutely no inaccuracies in the entire piece. Second of all, it is an opinion piece, and one piece of opinion does not suggest that the entire journal is moving to the left.

This knee jerk response, that any adovocacy for single payer is a “move to the left”, is exactly what hinders debate and keeps us, as physicians, afraid of change. But the truth remains: as it stands now, things really suck and primary care is dying.

Underpaid in New York

It’s accurate, for sure.

It’s also true in it’s assessment that we get less value for our dollar than in other countries.

The fact is that healthcare does not function in a true free-market environment. It is, perhaps, one of the most dysfunctional markets imaginable.

The over-abundance of ASC’s, imaging centers, and so on makes the work of the primary care physician that much harder. We’ve got the task of ensuring that people don’t get things that they don’t need, that don’t add value, and which potentially cause harm. (By the way, not all surgeons are doing well on ASC’s). It just reinforces the point that procedurists have access to a greater revenue stream for the work they do (E & M codes are worth squat).

My question: Are there really people out there that think our health system is working just fine?