Doctors at a crossroads

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

As costs rise and fed-up physicians quit, some fear shortage ahead

By Mary Ann Roser

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, June 17, 2002

Dr. Steven Foster of Cedar Park, Texas, never imagined that at this stage in his medical career he'd be living in a converted office because he can't afford his own apartment. He made just over $30,000 last year. He says he loses $5 every time he gives a child an MMR vaccination. Foster, like many doctors, is getting frustrated by the business side of being a doctor.

Full story-lengthy:

http://www.austin360.com/aas/specialreports/healthcare/0617doctors.html

[fedupnurse]

Once again, this is a perfect example of how the healthcare system has been destroyed by profit hungry business people. When we take the profit making ability away, these business people will go back to their previous profit making ventures. Hopefully healthcare won't be destroyed beyond repair by then. Profit or not for profit, insurance company and hospital execs walk just this side of the legal line. Profits get taken from non profit and hidden in the profit side. Many now want the profit side cause then they don't have to report their high 6 and 7 figure salaries. Maybe that should be a requirement. Insurance company executive salaries, perks, pension and severence packages must be made public along with all denied claims during their tenure.