1) The WSJ reports on the doctorate of nursing practice programs, or so-called DNPs, aimed to capitalize on the primary care shortage.
My take: Even with a doctorate degree, nursing programs cannot equal the rigor or length of an allopathic medical school and residency. That is a fact.
However, physicians have no one to blame but themselves for mid-levels’ increasing role in health care delivery.
We have devalued primary care to a point where it is no longer desired by medical students. Someone has to do it, and the wave of mid-levels, chiropractors and minute clinics attempting to capitalize on the opportunity shortage is foreseeable.
2) 59 percent of U.S. doctors support government legislation to establish national health insurance.
My take: Not enough detail as to what kind of national health insurance plan is being supported. There are many ways the government can intervene. Contrary to the far-left, PNHP fanatics, there is more to the world than single-payer.
Universal coverage is indeed a laudable goal. If we had endless resources, there is no question it should be a priority. Simply hoisting universal coverage onto a system not ready for it is Massachusetts-like thinking foolhardy.
Here’s the bottom line. I support universal coverage, but not before controlling costs and expanding primary care access.
