If it’s Just Me. . .

If it’s just me, say so, but I don’t get it. My family and I just recently left the physician we really liked and who had cared for our needs for 20+ years. His group practice does not accept Medicare. We have found another place where you can say you have a Doctor, and if you schedule your needs right, you can see him on his one four (4) hour stint each week. Otherwise, you see whoever is working their four (4) hour shift. It’s OK, I guess. I am not planning to need a physician anyway.

Here’s the deal. Congress is “fixing” our health care system and here’s the part I don’t get: “In the House, the principal stumbling block has been disagreement among Democrats over how to set fees for doctors, hospitals and other health care providers participating in the public insurance plan. Liberals want the government to set the rate unilaterally, pegged to the charges the government pays Medicare beneficiaries. Moderates want the government to negotiate with the providers in setting fees.” (ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer)

Isn’t it the “charges the government pays” that is the reason so many Physician and Physician groups are opting out of accepting Medicare patients? Isn’t it the Government’s endless paperwork and the slooooooow repayment process that is part of the problem? So wouldn’t that mean more “dropouts” in the system, less availability of services, fewer Physicians available to see a fast growing segment of society?

I just don’t get it! Maybe I am not supposed to. Maybe I am one of those who need “counseling” (read: death panels). I repeat, If it’s just me. . .