"To most Americans, you are the health care system. Americans - me included - just do what you recommend."Um, no. No, Mr. President, we don't. Not even close. We don't do the things doctors recommend, we cherry-pick the treatments and we don't comply with prescription instructions.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Nope, not even close.
What was the wrongest part of the President's speech to the AMA? This whopper:
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4 comments:
Since kids don't listen to their parents, does that mean they are not role models? I think Obama was simply stating the fact that most americans do not understand the complicated nature of our healthcare system particular how doctors and facilities are paid for their efforts.
Nobody takes care of themselves like they should and that is a major part of healthcare costs.
However, I watched the whole speech and in contrast to the review, I would say he received significant enthusiasm for what he said. I think it is highly likely that by this time next year almost every american will be covered by healthcare.
I disagree. Obama was saying that because MDs are the health care system to most Americans (i.e. politically popular), they'll have a seat at the table. My point is that the rhetorical handhold (Americans do what the doc recommends) is pretty flimsy. Americans make sport at ignoring medical advice, from rich to poor, uneducated to educated. Not that there's anything morally wrong with ignoring their advice; it happens a lot for a lot of different reason. It's just obviously political humbug on the part of Obama; again, he's a politician, so it's not a huge deal to me. But it is funny.
I don't doubt the ability of the President or the Congress to stretch the fig leaf of universal coverage to whatever level of comprehensiveness (and thinness) required.
I am also sure that the AMA folks are probably not as hostile as one might imagine; I'm curious as to their interest level when they're informed that a regional director of Doctors for America (Obama's MD outreach program) volunteered 10% of MD pay to be cut.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june09/doctors_06-15.html
P.S. I also find that the block quote in the original post is not what the President actually said during the speech. He said: "The fact is, Americans -- and I include myself and Michelle and our kids in this -- we just do what you tell us to do.
That's what we do. We listen to you. We trust you. That's why I will listen to you and work with you to pursue reform that works for you."
Again, it must have been nice to hear that from the President, but if I were listening, I would know it was obviously political baloney.
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