Due to the recent attention to overhauling the healthcare system, a few details have been overlooked. Firstly, the downpayment of 600 billion is a start but where is the rest of the money coming from? The future tax increases will not even cover the new trillion dollar budget. More than likely, the cuts will come from a reduction in payments to Medicaire reimbursement, hospitals and doctors. The problem with cutting hospital reimbursement is the following: the capital budget will decrease resulting in limited funds available for new equipment and new technology, decreased funding for emergency rooms and the domino effect of a staff shortage for the patient load. The effect on the patient will be limited access to state of the art technology and long waiting lists for hospital procedures. There is already a shortage of nurses and this plan will make it worse. Hospitals also function as a business and without the proper resources, the efficiency in patient care will rapidly decline.
Furthermore, how can we keep the high standard of healthcare and attract quality doctors when each year physicians are handed a pay cut? What other profession has taken such a drastic paycut over the past few years? Don't forget, they have overhead to pay just like any other business. Their employees want to be compensated for their efforts also and we all know, in order to attract quality personnel, they must be paid well. Rent increases every year as do supplies and don't forget malpractice insurance! Everyone wants the "best" doctor for his or her family, yet more and more doctors are leaving the profession. Insurance companies dictate treatment and make it almost impossible for the doctor to take care of the patient as needed. Some insurance companies will reimburse for a total hip procedure but will deny the post op physical therapy! If you think it is bad now, just wait! There does need to be changes in our system but let us begin by allowing doctors to practice medicine and not insurance companies. Let us realize, the illegal immigrant problem has also added to this mess. They recieve free healthcare and we are paying for it!
Terri and Wayne
