Comments on: The Obama health care summit, and did the President offer any clues to the upcoming health reform effort? http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html medical blog Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:23:39 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90264 Anonymous Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:06:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90264 Why are we going, hat in hand, to ask for what we want from the government? It's our field, not theirs, and we should be making the changes we want ourselves. Government interference and our over-reliance on poorly funded programs have brought us to where we are now. It seems that our best option is to cut away, and let Medicare and Medicaid plummet, as they deserve to. We owe these programs nothing. We are doctors, not government employees, and as such, it is time to turn away from the diminishing trickle of funding and find our own patients. That will be the savior of primary care, not more government intervention. Why are we going, hat in hand, to ask for what we want from the government? It’s our field, not theirs, and we should be making the changes we want ourselves. Government interference and our over-reliance on poorly funded programs have brought us to where we are now. It seems that our best option is to cut away, and let Medicare and Medicaid plummet, as they deserve to. We owe these programs nothing. We are doctors, not government employees, and as such, it is time to turn away from the diminishing trickle of funding and find our own patients. That will be the savior of primary care, not more government intervention.

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D. http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90253 Steve Parker, M.D. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:51:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90253 1) Dr. Johnson, Obama doesn't recognize the legitimacy of the U.S. Constitution. Most polititians don't, anymore. So forget about basic constitutional rights.<br/>2) Mr Dohert and the ACP do not represent physicians in the trenches. They will do anything for a seat at the table, even if poison is on the menu.<br/>3) Not all pertinent players were at the summit. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons was not there - not even invited. This is the group that was primarily responsible for blocking HillaryCare in 1994. And we're still around. I support AAPS with my dues, not ACP or the AMA. 1) Dr. Johnson, Obama doesn’t recognize the legitimacy of the U.S. Constitution. Most polititians don’t, anymore. So forget about basic constitutional rights.
2) Mr Dohert and the ACP do not represent physicians in the trenches. They will do anything for a seat at the table, even if poison is on the menu.
3) Not all pertinent players were at the summit. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons was not there – not even invited. This is the group that was primarily responsible for blocking HillaryCare in 1994. And we’re still around. I support AAPS with my dues, not ACP or the AMA.

]]> By: Carla Kakutani, MD http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90243 Carla Kakutani, MD Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:04:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90243 We all know how much hard work is ahead, and we all have suffered through the disappointments and frustrations of past health care reform failures in our individual states as well as nationally. Among our leadership group at the California Academy of Family Physicians, however, we are quite heartened that, after less than two months in office, President Obama has called for increasing the number of primary care physicians. We also are heartened that the AAFP and our other primary care colleagues were invited to this exclusive, high profile summit. Getting to the table is a first important step, and we haven’t always done that effectively in the past – and, if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu. We know the benefits of primary care and the patient-centered medical home – improved health for our patients and decreased costs for our health care system. Now it’s up to us to stay at the table and fight effectively for the health care changes we want.<br/><br/>Carla Kakutani, MD, Past President<br/>http://www.familydocs.org/blogs/fp-forum We all know how much hard work is ahead, and we all have suffered through the disappointments and frustrations of past health care reform failures in our individual states as well as nationally. Among our leadership group at the California Academy of Family Physicians, however, we are quite heartened that, after less than two months in office, President Obama has called for increasing the number of primary care physicians. We also are heartened that the AAFP and our other primary care colleagues were invited to this exclusive, high profile summit. Getting to the table is a first important step, and we haven’t always done that effectively in the past – and, if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu. We know the benefits of primary care and the patient-centered medical home – improved health for our patients and decreased costs for our health care system. Now it’s up to us to stay at the table and fight effectively for the health care changes we want.

Carla Kakutani, MD, Past President
http://www.familydocs.org/blogs/fp-forum

]]> By: American Medical Association http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90233 American Medical Association Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:07:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90233 There is an urgent need for action on health care reform, and I was honored to be included at the White House health care summit, representing the AMA and bringing the physicians' voice to the table. My take-away from the summit is that there is broad recognition from all stakeholders that we cannot let this opportunity slip by - no one is satisfied with the status quo. I pledged to be a constructive partner as we work to provide all Americans with affordable, portable health care coverage. The American Medical Association is committed to reform that covers everyone with a choice of insurance, ensures that patients can choose their health plan and physician, increases the value our nation receives from its health care spending, and enhances prevention and wellness for America’s patients. Just this week, the AMA held its national advocacy conference in Washington, D.C. and hundreds of physicians met with their members of Congress to call for reform. We're also working to improve the way care is delivered so that the system works better for patients and physicians.<br/><br/>Nancy Nielsen, M.D.<br/>President, AMA There is an urgent need for action on health care reform, and I was honored to be included at the White House health care summit, representing the AMA and bringing the physicians’ voice to the table. My take-away from the summit is that there is broad recognition from all stakeholders that we cannot let this opportunity slip by – no one is satisfied with the status quo. I pledged to be a constructive partner as we work to provide all Americans with affordable, portable health care coverage. The American Medical Association is committed to reform that covers everyone with a choice of insurance, ensures that patients can choose their health plan and physician, increases the value our nation receives from its health care spending, and enhances prevention and wellness for America’s patients. Just this week, the AMA held its national advocacy conference in Washington, D.C. and hundreds of physicians met with their members of Congress to call for reform. We’re also working to improve the way care is delivered so that the system works better for patients and physicians.

Nancy Nielsen, M.D.
President, AMA

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90229 Anonymous Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:34:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90229 Memo to Obama: Mr. President, we, the people, hired you to do a job. It's time to get to work. Passing out budget money to favored constituencies isn't going to do it. Fix the economy, or there will be no health care.<br/><br/>Better yet, roll back some of the sillier regulations, and get out of our way, we'll fix it ourselves. At least we know what's wrong with it.<br/><br/>Obama is in over his head, and healthcare is a distraction. I expect the same careful consideration that shaped the stimulus package to be applied to healthcare, and that ain't good. Memo to Obama: Mr. President, we, the people, hired you to do a job. It’s time to get to work. Passing out budget money to favored constituencies isn’t going to do it. Fix the economy, or there will be no health care.

Better yet, roll back some of the sillier regulations, and get out of our way, we’ll fix it ourselves. At least we know what’s wrong with it.

Obama is in over his head, and healthcare is a distraction. I expect the same careful consideration that shaped the stimulus package to be applied to healthcare, and that ain’t good.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90227 Anonymous Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:15:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90227 What's to say about it? It's a state law issue, and there's no evidence it works to lower costs. With defensive medicine, docs can't even agree on what it is and it isn't, so it's a moot point.<br/><br/>Besides, with where you physicians are heading with Obamacare, it's not going to matter. It'll be a workers comp style no-fault system plus there won't be a need for malpractice claims since people won't be worried about paying for the care needed as a result of the malpractice.<br/><br/>If you're still focused on tort "reform" with Obamacare coming down the tracks, then you've got no concept of what's really going to happen anyway. What’s to say about it? It’s a state law issue, and there’s no evidence it works to lower costs. With defensive medicine, docs can’t even agree on what it is and it isn’t, so it’s a moot point.

Besides, with where you physicians are heading with Obamacare, it’s not going to matter. It’ll be a workers comp style no-fault system plus there won’t be a need for malpractice claims since people won’t be worried about paying for the care needed as a result of the malpractice.

If you’re still focused on tort “reform” with Obamacare coming down the tracks, then you’ve got no concept of what’s really going to happen anyway.

]]> By: Doc99 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90224 Doc99 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:01:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90224 Still nothing's being said about Tort Reform or the Cost of Defensive Medicine. Color me skeptical but unless the Trial Bar also is made to face the financial music, Obamacare, Hillarycare, whatevercare is doomed to fail. Quid pro quo, Clarice. Still nothing’s being said about Tort Reform or the Cost of Defensive Medicine. Color me skeptical but unless the Trial Bar also is made to face the financial music, Obamacare, Hillarycare, whatevercare is doomed to fail. Quid pro quo, Clarice.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90223 Anonymous Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:51:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90223 It's amazing to watch physicians be cautiously optimistic as they are marched on toward the end of their independence. It’s amazing to watch physicians be cautiously optimistic as they are marched on toward the end of their independence.

]]> By: Dr. Mary Johnson http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/obama-health-care-summit-and-did.html/comment-page-1#comment-90221 Dr. Mary Johnson Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:10:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/the-obama-health-care-summit-and-did-the-president-offer-any-clues-to-the-upcoming-health-reform-effort.html#comment-90221 Perhaps maybe in addition to "producing" more primary care physicians (at least he didn't call us "providers"), President Obama might look into making sure that . . .<br/><br/>. . . THEY ARE TREATED LIKE HUMANS WITH BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.<br/><br/>My take on the health-care summit is that it is all a bunch of smoke and mirrors . . . with all of the "right" people in attendance saying all of the right "happy sound bite" things. <br/><br/>Smiling and holding hands is not going to cut it. The government has accepted mediocrity and listened to the "yes-men" and sycophants for too long . . . that's why we're in the mess we're in.<br/><br/>On that note, I am available, at any time, to share with the President and his lovely wife (the well-paid hospital administrator) my experience as a Pediatrician BURNED BADLY in public service.<br/><br/>I hear Governor Bev Perdue will be moderating one of Obama's meetings in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 31st. I'm looking forward to getting an invitation.<br/><br/>Hah! Perhaps maybe in addition to “producing” more primary care physicians (at least he didn’t call us “providers”), President Obama might look into making sure that . . .

. . . THEY ARE TREATED LIKE HUMANS WITH BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

My take on the health-care summit is that it is all a bunch of smoke and mirrors . . . with all of the “right” people in attendance saying all of the right “happy sound bite” things.

Smiling and holding hands is not going to cut it. The government has accepted mediocrity and listened to the “yes-men” and sycophants for too long . . . that’s why we’re in the mess we’re in.

On that note, I am available, at any time, to share with the President and his lovely wife (the well-paid hospital administrator) my experience as a Pediatrician BURNED BADLY in public service.

I hear Governor Bev Perdue will be moderating one of Obama’s meetings in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 31st. I’m looking forward to getting an invitation.

Hah!

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