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RE: Return to the "good olde days" From: Michael M. Rosenblatt,DPM ROSEY1@prodigy.net Dr. Hultman says that a mass exodus of doctors is occurring to other professions and Dr. Reider echoes that a "proliferation of bills to force managed care to more accountability" is being passed in many states. Dr. Reider implies that a magical proliferation of funds will occur into the health care system. Those predictions would imply that the government and private business intends to return to the "high costs" of medical care prior to managed care. Regretfully, I don't see that happening. Big business seems to prefer giving stock options to valued employees rather than giving more health care dollars. These stock options save them billions in Federal taxes. Also, stock options tend to be a "high tech phenomenon" more to benefit fairly high paid employees with technical skills; not the average employee by any means. Dr. Reider advises us to "hold on" for dear life. I'd be curious about his time table: 2-4 years? 6-10 years? Does that mean that those in practice, even if they return to "normal" remunerations that occurred in the 1980's will ever recoup their lost time and the time ability to invest? Albert Einstein, when asked what the greatest invention of mankind was replied: "Compound interest." Podiatrists in the 40's and 50's will NEVER recoup that lost time or lost income. Dr. Hultman, also an MBA surely should know that and appreciate those implications. The improvements, if and when they occur will only go to those who enter practice in their late 20's and early 30's. By that time, at least one or perhaps two or more podiatry schools will be closed. If the government is interested in saving us, and I see no evidence to suggest that, only a massive infusion of funds into medical care would even come close to helping. Even that will be too late for many graduates stuck in the time warp of having $200,000+ student loans. For those people a secure retirement, paying their children's college expenses, even living a "normal" life of moderate middle income status is impossible. They have become victims of governmental feudalism and indentured servitude. It may be possible for victims of those loans to solve their problem but it will require an act of Congress and in an article I am about to publish, that is exactly what I will suggest. I even will recommend a national day of health care strikes to bring it about. Sorry to be a drudge, but reality is brutal. It's better to face it than to pull rose-colored glasses over our eyes. Only then will we have even a hope of ever solving this problem. Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM San Jose, CA ROSEY1@prodigy.net Posted to Podiatry Management {pm-news] October 17, 2000 |