Wal-Mart Medicine

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Posted by Janice (209.193.50.246) on 13:47:27 17/05/04

We live in an age of rights, but of little responsibility. Sadly, we are all paying in one way or another for irresponsibility and inappropriate rights. We have the right to have children when we can not provide or care for them, we have the right to prolong the life of ourselves and loved ones when it is prohibitively expensive even when to do so is totally artificial. We have the ability in this great country to actually play God with our lives.
Many doctors and dentists have now stopped seeing medicaid and/or medicare patients. Why? Most providers tell me that the recipients miss muliple appointments, do not follow through on recommendations (even when these cost nothing to them), are rude to their staffs, and the reimbursement received is less than it costs to provide quality care. It is sometimes more satisfying to just give away the treatment to someone who 'catches your attention', someone who appreciates what the professional gives. This was the way it was prior to the great entitlements and expectations we demand today.
We also need to realize in this great country that we have more than we need. That includes health care. What this means is that some don't need what is available, but take and use more than is 'good' for them, getting 'fat' on it. This applies to both providers and recipients; such as large multiple births, million dollar births, prolonged lifes in vegetative states and so many other sad situations. Death and aging is a part of life. To accept them graciously and with honor is often forgotten, to support those who are dealing with it is often ignored through fear and ignorance, but is much needed.
It is also interesting that we pay the providers less than they charge any other patient. Do we expect this of any other business? Does the grocery store sell groceries at half the price they charge you and me? Does the shoe store sell shoes for less than it cost them to the poor? This is a major problem and won't go away until we make some tough decisions.

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Comments:	: We live in an age of rights, but of little responsibility. Sadly, we are all paying in one way or another for irresponsibility and inappropriate rights. We have the right to have children when we can not provide or care for them, we have the right to prolong the life of ourselves and loved ones when it is prohibitively expensive even when to do so is totally artificial. We have the ability in this great country to actually play God with our lives. : Many doctors and dentists have now stopped seeing medicaid and/or medicare patients. Why? Most providers tell me that the recipients miss muliple appointments, do not follow through on recommendations (even when these cost nothing to them), are rude to their staffs, and the reimbursement received is less than it costs to provide quality care. It is sometimes more satisfying to just give away the treatment to someone who 'catches your attention', someone who appreciates what the professional gives. This was the way it was prior to the great entitlements and expectations we demand today. : We also need to realize in this great country that we have more than we need. That includes health care. What this means is that some don't need what is available, but take and use more than is 'good' for them, getting 'fat' on it. This applies to both providers and recipients; such as large multiple births, million dollar births, prolonged lifes in vegetative states and so many other sad situations. Death and aging is a part of life. To accept them graciously and with honor is often forgotten, to support those who are dealing with it is often ignored through fear and ignorance, but is much needed. : It is also interesting that we pay the providers less than they charge any other patient. Do we expect this of any other business? Does the grocery store sell groceries at half the price they charge you and me? Does the shoe store sell shoes for less than it cost them to the poor? This is a major problem and won't go away until we make some tough decisions.
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Dr. Carl A. Hammerschlag, M.D., CPAE, psychiatrist and author, is a professional keynote and motivational speaker. He speaks on a variety of topics including healthcare, mind body and spirit, health and wellness, mental healing and leadership. He has delivered motivational and keynote speaches to corporate and business clients around the world.