Why politics and patients don ’t mix

So the American Health Care Act was rejected.    And I want to scream!   Not because it failed, but instead because of the way the whole thing was handled.  While both parties will argue that they were trying to do what is best for the American public, I disagree.  As a physician, what I see are two forces who are more intent on winning a battle than in helping the public.   Both the ACA and the AHCA help some people and hurt others.   Young and old, healthy and sick, rich and poor all have competing needs and desires. It is absolutely incumbent upon our legislators to work together to find common ground.  I am offended when Paul Ryan talks about “our” plan where the word “our” refers to Republicans rather than all of Congress.  The Democrats are no better, pointing out only the flaws in the AHCA without considering potential benefits.  This we vs. they mentality must stop. The current system is untenable.   The core of medicine is the patient-physician relationship.  This is being destroyed by government mandates, electronic health records, coding requirements, insurance “guidelines” etc.  Third parties are determining health care rather than patients and physicians. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Policy Health reform Source Type: blogs