Yesterday, I went in for my yearly physical and got a flu shot. Toward the end the doc asked, "If I have any further questions?"
Immediately what popped in my noggin and came out of my mouth with acute interest was 'What is your opinion on Obama's Healthcare reform?'
Yeah maybe I should be referred to a head shrink, but I couldn't help it being the political/news junkie I am.
His response was (paraprhasing, didn't have a recorder or pen and note while in boxers):
The health care reform didn't go far enough. Don't tell any of my doctor friends but we should have single payer healthcare. The system is still profit incentive driven and leaves too many out
Then he went further and touched on other topics:
Me: What about electronic records?
Yes it modernizes but doesn't reduce errors or duplications, might increase them. Remember, its an input error not a writing. Also, what kind of patient to doctor relationship can you foster if I'm talking to you (doc sits down) and start typing and looking down at my laptop. Also it cost the practice 100k for something I don't need because I write everything out
Doc: Healthcare reform needed tort reform
I have been sued once and ever since I changed my methods - not against the safety of patients, just more duplications and now view patients in a different light.
On President Obama
The Republicans do not want our country to progress, they want to obstruct. He inherited over trillion of dollars in debt, the worse economy since Great Depression, and two world wars and they want to sh*t all over him. If Ben Bernake says this is the right way to get out of here, you know he wrote his thesis on Great Depression economy, then we should follow the adviser's plan.
With that the conversation came to an end. He had more patients to attend. I shook his hand, smiled, said 'thanks', and walked out of the office beaming.
Have you had conversations with your doctor, nurse, caregiver about healthcare in our nation? Share your comments below, I am sure we are all intrigued to know!