Quote:Where did I say that?  Corruption has always been a part of the problem.  Giving a corrupt government even more control over 1/6 of the economy is a recipe for disaster. 

 

Our healthcare system is going to be driven in that direction because of the ACA.  If you can refute the fact that rates are increasing, and that care is starting to suffer, go right ahead and do so.  I'd love to see facts that refute either point.  You focused on the last comment as hyperbole (which it was), but completely ignored the rest.  Good job. 

 

You're fixated on the money.  You say making a profit isn't a bad thing, but clearly you think otherwise based on your comments. 

 

Let me give you one example of a greedy, profit driven doctor who is on the verge of retiring because he can't afford to continue under the guidelines of ACA.  This is a very good friend of mine who is an oncologist here in Florida. 

 

Over the past several years, he has been a provider on Medicaid and Medicare's list.  He has accepted both forms of payment.  As the years have passed, the amount MC pays out has steadily dropped.  They set the bar for usual and acceptable, and it's gotten to the point where this doctor can barely maintain any sort of profit margin.  Now, I know to someone who just thinks he's being greedy, they're just going to stop right here and bash him because he's on the verge of throwing in the towel because he's barely able to break even.  This is a top tier oncologist who has worked for two major cancer centers during his career.  He spent nearly 1/3 of a million on his education.  He started his own practice, and employs a staff of 10.  He has overhead to maintain his offices, and to pay his employees.  When Medicare/Medicaid step in and say they're only going to pay 70% or even less on his billing, that means he's losing money.  You'll say he's greedy, but as a result of their cuts, he's already had to lay off half his staff, and he's taking fewer patients because he can't handle the workload.  He's considering dumping his practice all together because of the ACA.  This guy is an expert on the subject, and the horror stories he tells are epic.  But to you, he's just a rich doctor who is complaining about not making enough money.  Right?

 

FYI, if you don't think rates are going up for the vast majority, you need to do some research on the rates that have been submitted by each state to their insurance commissioners already.  And if the ruling by an appellate court this week holds up, those subsidized rates that are artificially making the prices look lower than they are while taxpayers pick up the tab are going to go away.  Watch what happens then. 

I thought you were implying the government was the sole source of corruption in the healthcare system. If that's not what you meant than ok,

 

I never called the doctors greedy. I said leaving because of making less money, if that was the reason, would make sense. I don't know enough to really comment but I would assume if your example was indicative of the profession as a whole would be or will be seeing a mass exodus sooner than later. I have not personally seen indications that this is the case but will take what you are saying in this regard at face value and do some research for myself on that matter.

 

You are right, I am fixated on the money in general. Money is the reason poor laws get passed and good laws get gutted. It's the reason we, as a people are not represented by either side of the aisle. It's the reason the wealth gap has increased exponentially and shows no sign of slowing down. It's the reason gov and quasi-monopolies are so corrupt. 

---