Lots of Doctors Running for Congress on Republican Ticket
Wonder why that is.
In an article on the GOP’s successful efforts at recruiting congressional candidates, soon to be Members of Congress, Byron York notes the superabundance of doctors in the mix:
Talk to the new candidates, and they’re worried about the entire scope of Obama policy. But an indicator of the specific effect of Obamacare is the unusually large number of new recruits — 31 — who come from the medical profession. Twenty-four are doctors. The GOP already has a significant advantage in the number of physicians-turned-lawmakers — at the Obama health care summit, the Republicans brought three doctors to the table, while the Democrats brought none — and that advantage will probably be larger in 2011.
That gives them a special authority on what will surely be a continuing debate over Obamacare. “I think it will basically decimate the health care system in America,” says [Dr. Larry] Bucshon [heart surgeon in Evansville, Ind]. “The number of doctors who are going to retire, and the number of young people who are no longer going to go into medicine, will be massive.”
No wonder the Obama Administration is so fascinated with white coats. The president hopes his little bit of political theater will obscure the overwhelming opposition to Obamacare among physicians.
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On what do you base the “overwhelming” claim?
The AMA, by far the largest organization of doctors, is on board, for example.
Comment by Tano — March 19, 2010 @ 5:28 pm - March 19, 2010
The AMA, by far the largest organization of doctors, is on board, for example.
Which is hilarious, since the AMA only represents 18% of doctors.
But then again, Tano, you wouldn’t know that, because it wasn’t on your talking points that Obama provided you.
It’s really funny watching you repeatedly demonstrate your ignorance on this topic.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — March 19, 2010 @ 6:11 pm - March 19, 2010
If ObmaCareless passes, they’ll need another job to make a living.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 19, 2010 @ 8:19 pm - March 19, 2010
Claire McCaskill (Idiot-MO) says that docs should be on a salary.
Yup – that just who I want treating a serious illness… some gummint functionary who gets paid the same whether I live or die.
Despite liberal efforts to the contrary, medicine is still (mostly) a profession where excellence is rewarded. Good doctors and nurses have to have a passion for their art (true for most professions, come to think of it). Otherwise, it’s just another job.
That’s not to say that there are no good salary docs – there are. But their pay should not be set by a cabal of politicians who, despite being on the government payroll all their lives, manage to accrue millions while shafting the rest of us.
Comment by SoCalRobert — March 19, 2010 @ 8:51 pm - March 19, 2010
Tano – I know a couple of physicians who, due to the AMA’s position, are now ex-members of the AMA.
I know other physicians who vehemently disagree with the AMA position but remain members simply because they like to read JAMA.
Comment by SoCalRobert — March 19, 2010 @ 8:53 pm - March 19, 2010
Thanks for pointing that out, Robert. Tano and the Barack Obama Party believe that doctors should be forcibly nationalized and made government employees.
Got anything to say to that, Tano? Figured not. Too bad your talking points don’t cover how to obfuscate the truth.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — March 19, 2010 @ 9:13 pm - March 19, 2010
SoCal,
There are hundreds of thousands of doctors in the country – I do not doubt for a second that there are thousands opposed to the bill. I seriously doubt if it is anything close to a majority though.
The New England Journal did a huge poll last year – over 5,000 respondants – and found majority support (63%) for a mix of private and public options. Only 27% favored private options only. LINK
That doesnt directly address Obamacare as it is now, but I think it is indicative. Doctors want universal coverage – it is consistent with their core sense of mission. And, of course, they end up having to eat the costs of a lot of the uninsured.
“that just who I want treating a serious illness…some gummint functionary who gets paid the same whether I live or die.”
Hate to break this to ya bud, but if you go to the good ol’ private hospital tomorrow and die in the OR, the doc is going to get paid nonetheless.
Comment by Tano — March 19, 2010 @ 9:44 pm - March 19, 2010
Please provide evidence, Tano, to back up your assertion that doctors wants universal coverage.
Comment by B. Daniel Blatt — March 19, 2010 @ 10:28 pm - March 19, 2010
Where within the reforms proposed is there anything dealing with Doctors, Nurses, Technicians or Hospitals in direct contact with patients? The reform deals with insuring these highly skilled professionals and dedicated organizations are paid for their labor. The bill is available on line if you care to get yourself informed.
Medicare and Medicaid negotiate with physicians and primary care providers to determine a fair compensation and this will continue.
This is one more straw man argument with absolutely no foundation in reality.
Comment by Kevin Andrews — March 19, 2010 @ 11:21 pm - March 19, 2010
The reform deals with insuring these highly skilled professionals and dedicated organizations are paid for their labor.
Actually, the “reform” massively slashes the amounts they are paid, puts constraints on the services they can offer, and subjects all of their decisions to the “oversight” of government bureaucrats.
Again, “Kevin Andrews”, the “Fascist America” at the top of your blog neatly describes you and your friend Tano’s vision for this country.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — March 19, 2010 @ 11:52 pm - March 19, 2010
Tano – my guess is that this is a done deal… the argument is academic. Our only hope is the Supreme Court (unconstitutional congressional maneuvering and several states threatening lawsuits) and a GOP with the guts to repeal the damn thing next year.
This is not about healthcare. It’s about establishing a social welfare state (working so well in Europe) and a metastatic government meddling in every aspect of our lives (from salt in restaurant meals to diversity police).
Three words: National Health Service.
Kevin: if Medicare and Medicaid “negotiate with physicians and primary care providers to determine a fair compensation” then why are more and more providers refusing to accept new patients?
Comment by SoCalRobert — March 20, 2010 @ 12:31 am - March 20, 2010
SoCal…
They’re not refusing to accept new patients. They’re refusing to accept new Medicare and Medicaid patients!! On April 16, Washington state Walgreen’s will stop accepting any new Medicaid pharmacy patients as well. And as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Florida, the 20% drop in compensation for Medicare ‘B’ patients that occurred THIS year, has already affected my job…I lost it in January.
Comment by rodney — March 20, 2010 @ 12:52 am - March 20, 2010
So sorta like public schools. That’s comforting. You’re still sick (can’t read), but the doctor (teacher) says you’re just fine and wheels you out the door.
I like to call it “saved or created”. Happened to me too.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 20, 2010 @ 5:24 am - March 20, 2010
Rodney – you’re exactly right. Thanks for the clarification.
Sorry to hear about your job… mine went away a couple of weeks ago.
Our elites are surely destroying what’s left of this country (and this has been going on for years – long before Barry got on the gravy train).
Some very discouraging reports have been issued this month from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There have been record declines in both jobs and hours worked. At the end of last year, the U.S. economy had fewer jobs than at the end of 1997, twelve years ago. Hours worked at the end of last year were less than at the end of 1995, fourteen years ago.
Read it and weep: http://www.vdare.com/roberts/100317_offshored_economy.htm
Comment by SoCalRobert — March 21, 2010 @ 2:25 am - March 21, 2010