There is no question that our healthcare system needs a tune-up. Patients need access and focused attention, at a reasonable cost. Doctors in hospitals simply want to render the best care for patients they can without all the needless regulatory interference, and the out-of-control malpractice environment. Employers want freedom from the ever-growing costs that could be put toward jobs creating business pursuits. The government (that’s you and I) is shelling out nearly 60% of all medical costs, so it would be in all of our interests to control spending. However, we must recognize the spin coming from each side of the debate. Take the uninsured numbers, for example. 47 million is the number thrown around, but according to the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation, the number is really in between 8 and 14 million, after subtracting non-citizens, young and healthy people who choose not to insure, and many others who are eligible for, but don’t access, government programs.
Also, no doctors I know operate on a whim, unnecessarily putting patients at risk. So while we understand that many of these reforms are needed, be careful of where you receive your information.