Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveZ
Contacting a business (which a physician's office is) to seek services on a non-emergency basis is one thing - showing up at a hospital emergency room is another.
The "young fellow with a family of 4" scenario is indeed a true one. I've been there, too, and the choices of what to spend money on and working two jobs if necessary is a real one.
Also, if one expects his/her health insurance will cover everything all of the time, that expectation is not rational. If one won't seek health care services because "the insurance doesn't cover it," that is just plain silly. There will always be out-of-pocket costs for things, especially if you want "the best available" and not just the lowest common denominator.
Perhaps the "health care" matter can be mitigated in the same way the "legal care" matter is - mandatory or "aspirational" levies of time and/or money placed upon health care providers by their state licensing authority. As an example, the Florida Bar seeks (and has a reporting requirement covering pro bono services) member attorneys to provide a minimum of 20 hours of service to the poor, or donate $350 minimum to pro bono service agencies. Most states have similar levies on its attorneys.
If that's okay and expected of lawyers, what's wrong with the same for physicians? Why should only lawyers supposed to be "concerned with the poor geting help" as a condition of maintaining their license? (Please see: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/...irectory.html# ) |
Excellent idea--pro bono. Following your idea... pts pay for ALL time the physician spends on their case. You know, "the meter is running" concept.... "billable hours".... phone calls, reviewing lab results, consulting with other physicians, talking with attorneys, filling out forms are all billable to the patient.... in fact, everything is billable to the patient since physicians will now be like attorneys and simply charge per unit of time, directly to the pt.... there are actually a growing # of physicians doing exactly this. When you call their office you are not asked what type of insurance you have.... instead you are told, "DR Smith does not accept any insurance.... he accepts cask, Mastercard and Visa. " Also, if we are going to "mitigate health care the same way legal care is" we need to keep the playing field level... so malpractice ins needs to be on an even plane too.