Comments on: Fair Payment?

By: When Doctors Complain | The Soapbox

When Doctors Complain | The Soapbox — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:57:36 +0000

[...] physician-blogger “Birdstrike, MD” wrote a post in response to an earlier blog comment by a “Johnathan Blaze.” While I believe Blaze’s comments where wholly off the mark, I find Birdstrike’s [...]

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:21:18 +0000

Oh my.

By: WhiteCoat

WhiteCoat — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:00:46 +0000

I wouldn't have to put words in your mouth if you'd substantiate your assertions, now would I? If you can't meaningfully participate in a discussion in which your assertions are reality tested, then maybe you should visit this site more often.

By: Vladimir von Winkelstien

Vladimir von Winkelstien — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:27:22 +0000

“In your system…”
“You going to just start forcing specialists to work for whatever amount of money you feel like paying them?”
“From your comments on this issue, it is apparent that you believe…”
“On an outpatient “non-emergency” basis, then I assume you still believe…”
“If you want to pound your chest and declare yourself victorious in this argument…”
(After I say, “I don’t have a system”) “So your proposed system would allow…”
“Pretty much it appears you are advocating…”

Please stop trying to put words into my mouth. It’s extremely annoying.

By: WhiteCoat

WhiteCoat — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:08:03 +0000

1. The form doesn’t belong to me. Advance beneficiary notices require that the cost of services be included. I already stated that if the price wasn’t disclosed, it shouldn’t be enforceable.
2. Finger repairs can be delayed. It depends upon the injury. And I’m sure that no one with an interest in the situation has an incentive to present facts that most favor their position. Why is it that you believe the patient more than the attorney?
3. Make that “in your proposed system …” So your proposed system would allow people receiving services just not to pay for those services if they thought the services were too expensive?
4. You didn’t answer the question about lifesaving medications or about lifesaving ambulance transports. Pretty much it appears you are advocating that emergency medical care – whatever the definition that best suits your purposes – is a legal right and that the government should be able to force private citizens to perform emergency medical services at their own expense regardless of how much the private citizens will be paid. That will go over real well.

You’ve effectively sidestepped any of the substantive discussion on topics you raised.

While you were in the middle US for that one instance of medical care, you must have stocked up on a bunch of straw for all those strawman arguments you’re making.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:48:09 +0000

While I don’t agree with Mr. Blaze, I can’t say that physicians haven’t brought this sentiment on themselves.

By: Johnathan Blaze

Johnathan Blaze — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:41:16 +0000

Give me a break WC.

First of all, most people go to college, so those fees aren’t just being felt by doctors. Secondly most smart kids can get into state schools for little to no tuition. If you choose to pay 30k+/yr for undergrad, that is your choice.

Yes, medical school is expensive. This is the one extra thing doctors have to pay for. But 300k worth of loans is NOTHING when you’re guaranteed to be making 250k+ for the rest of your life. It is only because medical salaries are so absurdly overinflated that medical schools can charge so much. If we lowered doctor salaries, then the med school tutions would fall as well.

Residents usually get paid 50k+ which is above the average American salary. Not bad for a TRAINING PROGRAM. Yes, the hourly wage is sometimes low, but remember, it’s a TRAINING PROGRAM. Residents are also coddled, wined and dined, and given a strong social network. There are lots of perks to residents that other jobs don’t have.

There is also a huge psychological difference when you know you will be paid 200k-600k+ after residency It’s a lot easier to deal with “low paying” work when you know it’s just a stepping stone to a guaranteed huge payoff (albeit one built off of financially raping the sick).

Doctors in training also have chances to make money “moonlightling”, in which they are paid $50-$100 an HOUR to SLEEP all night at a hospital (and occasionally have to do a little bit of work). Yes, lets pity these poor doctors and the absurd money they make.

Malpractice insurance is a complete red herring. Most doctors never pay a penny out of pocket. It is handled by the hospital/practice they work for. Doctors still take home hundreds of thousands of dollars.

$200k should be the maximum salary for ALL DOCTORS. The only ones who should get more are the ones who actually INNOVATE and contribute to the overall practice of medicine. However 95% of doctors are simply mechanics and should be paid as such.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:09:16 +0000

I never miss a post. The unintentional comedy levels can’t be matched!

By: Birdstrike

Birdstrike — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:07:36 +0000

Matt: “It’s a well known fact that doctor’s attorneys, and doctors themselves, don’t say things in their own interest – just the unvarnished truth. Only their opponents lie. Frequently and without remorse.”

Matt, it warms my heart to know you are finally catching on. Please, keep on reading.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:50:04 +0000

It’s a well known fact that doctor’s attorneys, and doctors themselves, don’t say things in their own interest – just the unvarnished truth. Only their opponents lie. Frequently and without remorse.