Doctor tells patients he will quit if President Obama is re-elected

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2012

Doesn't anybody else here think it's grossly unprofessional for a physician to say this sort of thing, even if in jest but especially if dead serious, to a patient?

myelin · Sep 21, 2012

I'm so sick of people blaming "Obamacare" on the realities of a crappy economy. Obamacare hasn't even kicked in yet, for the most part. He's trying to intimidate his patients and it's childish and completely unprofessional. Not to mention that it's also disingenuous, since Romney wouldn't be able to get rid of the law.

merlee · Sep 21, 2012

Thank you, myelin, and others. EVERYTHING in healthcare that is happening now is due to what was decided in previous administrations. 'Obamacare' for the most part doesn't really start 'til 2014.

And Obamacare is very similar to what was enacted by ROMNEY when he was a governor.

I am so tired of this debacle. I am annoyed by the people who think that the clampdown in healthcare that is happening now has anything to do with Obama. It was mostly enacted in the Bush years.

And what does that Doctor plan on doing?

chicarn, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2012

Doesn't anybody else here think it's grossly unprofessional for a physician to say this sort of thing, even if in jest but especially if dead serious, to a patient?

thank you, that's my point.

A lot of businessmen don't agree with Obama policies but they don't use scare tactics on their clients.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 21, 2012

Since doctors have a lot to do with the cost of health care because of their fee-for-service model I'm not too stressed about their needs. The AMA has consistently used their power and money to lobby hard against any kind of health care reform since the 20s. They should be looking for ways to improve the system rather than fight to keep the status quo. Things are going to be changing one way or another.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Sep 21, 2012

Last year our doctor we have had for 23 years gave us the same speech and then said he is converting to concierge/boutique/retainer medicine. He will only have 400 patients and strive for health care rather than care of the sick. The fee? $1,500 a year-for each of us. So many of his patients left that now it is almost impossible for us to find another doctor. Most of the remainer of soctors no longer take Medicare, even if you have a medigap that will end up paying 100%.

We both are on Medicare and have Social security as our income. That comes to 2 month's income to pay the concierge fee. Medicare already takes $95 out of the SS check. I am horrified we will have to accept whatever is left. I hardly ever go to the doctor, but my husband has so many health problems he's there abouttwice or 3 times a month.

Anyone have a solution? O'Care is not an option because you still have to find a doctor.

Mulan · Sep 22, 2012

They need to stop cutting the medicare reimbursement.

The reason doctors don't want to take medicare is because the reimbursement is so low.

They need to increase it instead of cutting it.

Poochiewoochie · Sep 22, 2012

I'm so sick of people blaming "Obamacare" on the realities of a crappy economy. Obamacare hasn't even kicked in yet, for the most part. He's trying to intimidate his patients and it's childish and completely unprofessional. Not to mention that it's also disingenuous, since Romney wouldn't be able to get rid of the law.

And Obamacare is actually Romneycare. But of course, we aren't supposed to mention that little fact.

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2012

No, I don't think it's unprofessional.

It is a professional, letting his/her clients know the difficulties of the environment in which s/he is practicing, allowing for an educated, meaningful discussion.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2012

No, I don't think it's unprofessional.
It is a professional, letting his/her clients know the difficulties of the environment in which s/he is practicing, allowing for an educated, meaningful discussion.

Then again, bedside nurses are often prohibited by management from letting clients (patients) know about the difficulties of the environment in which we practice (short staffing, financial constraints, lack of supplies, etc.). Other than the fact that many physicians are self-employed, I do not see much of a difference.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2012

Not to mention that it's also disingenuous, since Romney wouldn't be able to get rid of the law.

You're right, he probably would not be able to overturn the law. However, he could use an executive order to gut parts of it that would be required for it to work. Apparently executive orders are okay if you can't get what you want through Congress.

I think Obamacare needs to be allowed to take effect so that we can see the backlash from those who are suddenly required to purchase health insurance. We could also see the disappointment from people who purchase government mandated insurance only to find there is nobody who will accept it.

I expect the new insurances to base their payments on Medicare reimbursements which will make them just as popular with health care providers.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Sep 24, 2012

#1. Pt visit time is so limited, it is just grossly inappropriate to spend an iota of it haranguing a patient about political issues. Invite them to a tea party, but keep it out of the appointment the patient is paying for (either directly or indirectly, as the case may be).

#2. The whole thing is ridiculous. The ACA is not the reason physician salaries have been declining. It is a red herring, and any informed physician knows so. Further, as of this morning it looks like it will take the proverbial "dead girl/live boy", a war in Iran, or a complete meltdown of the European market/currency for such an electoral miracle that might result in a Romney win. For God's sake, Obama is even leading in North Carolina, lol. Even the RNC doesn't think Mitt can win (some say they never did and it was always a ghost candidacy) and is already redirecting money for Jeb Bush in 2016.

In other words, it's a moot point. Mitt cannot repeal the ACA if he is elected, which he is not likely to be. The ACA is not the trigger for the problems the physician in the OP is complaining about in the first place. "Ha ha. We're in the stretch aren't we? Look at those clouds. It's beautiful."