'Jefferson wrote "A govenment big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have". This monstrosity of a bill and the amendments they have just marked up make Gottfried look like a charm school book report. ... only physicians are in a position to advocate for our patients and ourselves, and there is only one MD representative that I know of on Waxman's committee, a Republican, who might as well have tape over his mouth. This legislation will undoubtedly be revised and amended, but even in altered form, will create a new powerful and controlling bureacracy which will change not only the practice of medicine, but the whole relationship of government to the people of this country.
The AMA failed to attack objectionable provisions in the bill and never pushed for tort and insurance reform, and other vital elements of our survival, as the bill was being formulated. It is naive to think they will be able to work with doctor haters like Waxman to alter those pieces of the legislation once they are finalized. Letters of complaint about the actions of the AMA and MSSNY are beginning to be received in numbers at county societies, and I would contend that most physicians in the country are unhappy with the lack of leadership, be it real or perceived. The profession should not be a commodity to be traded, nor a doormat for poorly informed, and agenda-driven politicians. One can only hope the voters are smart enough to vote these marauders out of office, and restore some sanity, before Big Brother says hello in a Big way.'
clyde locke
there is one factual error to which i object:
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this is absolutely untrue! the bill as originally emerged was rich in insurance reforms. the amendments that were introduced this week (including liability relief) are further evidence of this untruth.
cr
Undoubtedly, some bill will be passed, if only for the President to "Declare Victory." Unions will ensure that benefits gained after years of struggle are not surrendered nor taxed. Lawyers will ensure that no meaningful tort reform will be adopted. Ultimately, politics is about the golden rule and he who has the gold, rules. And so it goes.
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