Poll: 83 percent of doctors consider resigning over 'Obamacare'

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/12/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

U.S. will face enormous doctor gap within eight years

In a poll of 699 U.S. doctors, 83 percent of physicians say they have considered leaving their practices over President Barack Obama's health care reform law. The survey, conducted y the Doctor Patient Medical Association found that the majority have thought about bailing out of their careers over the legislation, which was upheld last month by the Supreme Court.

The association found that many doctors don't believe the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will lead to better access to medical care for the majority of Americans.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Comprised of doctors and patients, the survey found that even if doctors do not quit their jobs over the ruling, America will face a shortage of at least 90,000 doctors by 2020.

One of the stipulations of the new health care law is an increased demand for physicians by expanding insurance coverage, exacerbating the current shortage as more Americans live past the age of 65.

Len Marquez, the director of government relations at the American Association of Medical Colleges, says that by 2025 the shortage will balloon to over 130,000.

"One of our primary concerns is that you've got an aging physician workforce and you have these new beneficiaries - these newly insured people - coming through the system," he said. "There will be strains and there will be physician shortages."

The association found that many doctors don't believe the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will lead to better access to medical care for the majority of Americans.

"Doctors clearly understand what Washington does not - that a piece of paper that says you are 'covered' by insurance or 'enrolled' in Medicare or Medicaid does not translate to actual medical care when doctors can't afford to see patients at the lowball payments, and patients have to jump through government and insurance company bureaucratic hoops," co-founder of the DPMA Kathryn Serkes says.

The American Medical Association, which endorsed Obama's health care overhaul, had no immediate comment on the survey.

Spokesperson Heather Lasher Todd said it would take time to review the information in the survey while Janelle Davis of the American Academy of Family Physicians said the academy could not provide thoughtful commentary without studying the survey's findings and methodology.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Keywords: Obamacare, physicians, resignation, shortage, poll

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1 - 10 of 21 Comments

Judy Claar
10 months ago
ruth vella, I am very glad things are going so well for you and your country. May I ask? Was this Government Health Care implemented before or after your country joined the EU in 2004? I would be interested to know how doctors and nurses did their jobs and how they were paid before the EU. How is your government faring now financially? I hope well. Ruth, you live on a lovely isle. Enjoy! I'm sure you do. Blessings..
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Jo Ann. Thanks for the info. I will look into it. In the meantime, I read Ruth Vella's post from Malta. Interesting. How do you think most of our doctors and nurses would view this? I once knew a priest from Malta who was at Retreat...Filled w/the Lord, a beautiful man
I am like you as far as seeing the handwriting on the wall. I did not know we had so many youth! Or adults that think they are...Unless more WAKE UP soon, I cannot believe the country I grew up in, and the one I die in to be so distinctly different. But, that's progress! And I have nothing against it! It is Political Progressiveness that leads one into an unsuspecting rip tide, to pull him under. Prayers and Blessings...
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Jo Ann. Thanks for the info. I will look into it. In the meantime, I read Ruth Vella's post from Malta. Interesting. How do you think most of our doctors and nurses would view this? I once knew a priest from Malta who was at Retreat...Filled w/the Lord, a beautiful man
I am like you as far as seeing the handwriting on the wall. I did not know we had so many youth! Or adults that think they are...Unless more WAKE UP soon, I cannot believe the country I grew up in, and the one I die in to be so distinctly different. But, that's progress! And I have nothing against it! It is Political Progressiveness that leads one into an unsuspecting rip tide, to pull him under. Prayers and Blessings...
JoAnn
10 months ago
Judy: Things are much worse than most folks think. This is so huge that it is hard to comprehend. The problem with the economy, especially with our economic security. What I mean by economic security is not the everyday concerns about debt and taxes. Those problems are nothing compared to what we could be subject to. Washington is not being honest with us. By Washington, I mean, all of them. except for a few. Both parties. I'm not able to explain it all because I really don't know how. I understand it in my head, but I just don't have the words. If I'm alarming anyone, good! You all have no idea what is threatening us. Maybe, just maybe some of you do understand. You all need to download AGENDA 21 and read it. It's extremely long but a MUST read. It's frightening. It is a government report on what they have planned for us and the whole world. Bible prophecy to the letter. All I can say is, God is the only one who can get us out of this. Pray fervently everyday, get on your knees in front of the Blessed Sacrament as often as you can. Daily Mass and reception of the Holy Eucharist wouldn't hurt either. Also, say the rosary everyday and ask our Mother to pray for us. The Chaplet of Devine Mercy at the mercy hour would be a good idea too. Download the Communist Manifesto also. There is a new book out entitled "The Communist" by Paul Kengor (NO it's not about Obama!) It is about Frank Marshall Davis, the other father figure in Obama's life and his mentor as Obama was growing up. Frank has an extensive FBI file. Actually, Frank is mentioned quite a few times in Obama's book, "Dreams from My Father" If you read "The Communist", you will know everything about why Obama is who he is and why he is doing the things that he is doing. Please everyone, research what I have told you, then give it to a friend you might know that is still on the fence. Give it to Obama supporters too. Most of them probably won't want to hear it. BUT, if you enlighten just one Obama supporter, it will be worth it. God bless.
ruth vella
10 months ago
A friend of mine was extremely glad about this change saying that health care will be affordable for everybody not just those who afford it - and yet many people and doctors aren't keen on it? why?

in my country - malta - if you're rich and fussy you can go to a private doctor or hospital but if you're normal and haven't got money to waste, you can get free medical and dental treatments and hospital treatment at the general hospital - funded by our taxes*.

our doctors aren't all that well paid and they work very hard and do long shifts - as do the nurses - but they give an excellent service and the patient comes first.

if the doctors in america want less patients and work then maybe they aren't fit for the job anyway - shouldn't treating patients be a priority over all other things?

*(in malta the goverment is not obsessed with wars and weapons so they afford to invest tax money into our healthcare and education systems instead)
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Jo Ann, Your story rings familiar w/one I heard a long time ago. What is eerie, is that parts of the story have come to pass, and some have not. Woe is me! Never did I expect this...I thought somehow mankind would avoid it...or at least put it off until much later! We shall see..."Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray For Us".
Vance
10 months ago
This is old news that came out when Obamacare passed the Reid-Pelosi congress. But I thank Catholic Online for reminding us of this nightmare. As I've asked the Obamabots, "With few doctors serving millions of patients, what quality of health care service do you think you are going to get?" This nightmare is too deep for shallow minds to comprehend. If Romney doesn't win and the senate doesn't go to the GOP, this country hasn't seen the huge trouble that will hit. We see Greece as an example.
JoAnn
10 months ago
"IF" doctors stay in the medical profession, I hope nobody thinks these doctors are going to be making the same money that they were making, when Obamatax kicks in. The "bureaucrats" in the IRS will be deciding who gets medical treatment. If you're under 20 and over 40, you are going to wait a long time before you get any care. And, most likely, you won't get any care at all. You see, if you are not a "worker of the world" that contributes to the regime, they will eliminate you. Only people that are "paying" for their keep will get any government assistance. Let me throw out here "AGENDA 21." Strongly recommended reading for everyone but mostly for the people that support the "Father of Lies." Honestly, I just wish one of you would explain to me why you think living under the United Nations Laws rather than our own freedom for the people Constitution. Haven't you all noticed that we are already living under UN laws? We are no longer a soverign country. Are you so blinded by party loyalty that you can't see what is happening? True Catholics should neither be Democrat or Republican or Independent. We should be for the King of Kings and that makes us living under a Monarchy. "God's laws are above man's laws." Remember, we are only passing through here. Our days have all been numbered. Eternity is a long time. If the scales would fall from your eyes, you would see that we are in the throws of "The Great Apostasy." We have fallen away from our Faith and if you know anything about Bible prophecy, you would know that we are in for a very severe purging. We only have one chance left, a reprieve kind of. If we do not elect Romney and Obama gets back in for another 4 years, all hell is going to break loose. Nothing will stop him because he will not have another election to worry about. There is a new movie out. It's called "2016." Frightening! When it gets to your neighborhood, DON'T MISS IT. God is giving us one last chance to make things right. If we blow it, well, I don't even want to think about it. You thought the KKK was bad? Wait and see what happens if "The Destroyer" gets back in office. You are all in my prayers everyday that you will have that come to Jesus moment. "Many are called, but few are chosen." God bless.
Judy Claar
10 months ago
TA-152-H: Me thinks you would be wise to listen to Jo Ann if you are able. The information she gave is honest and sadly, true. I, like her, am at a loss, when Obama diehards cannot see or hear what is so apparently clear to us. It is like someone else said, similarly: You tell yourself over and over until you believe it: "Everything Obama says is right. Everything Obama says is right,...and so on." There is no room (so you think, for (Free Thinking to Find the Truth). Yes. I am Catholic. I am a Free Thinker. We ARE: ONE NATION UNDER GOD. Blessings....
robert matzinger
10 months ago
And what would these "doctors" do to earn their 250k+ wages if they left the medical profession? Would they be willing to just walk away from the only thing most of them know how to do and are trained/educated for and earning probably 250k a year or more, for a job making say 50k or so a year? Would they be willing to go back to college for 3-4 years and re-educate/train themselves for example as an engineer, and then start out all over in life at an auto company starting at 45- 50k a year?

As long as doctors are makingn the kind of money most do, they're not quitting to take a much much lower paying job.

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