Topic: RomneyCare: Wait times for primary care docs on the increase

[IronDioPriest]

Under my insurance plan in Minnesota, in the clinic/physician system we currently use, if I were to call my doctor's office today seeking an appointment with my primary care physician, I may have to wait a week or two, but most often they can see me within a day or two. If I am willing to see a different doctor in the same practice, it is likely almost to the point of certainty that I could get in on a same-day basis. I've seen specialists on a referral from my primary care in as little as a few days to a couple weeks.

Wait for doctors visit as long as 48 days in Massachusetts.

A new poll of 838 Massachusetts doctors finds patients are still waiting weeks -- in some cases as long as a month and a half -- for non-urgent appointments with primary care physicians and certain specialists.

[Libertas]

We see that in every nation that adopts government run health care...and that is just the intial change, many more, many much worse roll in right behind it!

[LadyVirginia]

I listened to prime minister's questions last week and they were discussing wait times for hospital services being about 18 weeks.  What was interesting to me was  that wait times were acceptable at all.  They were bickering over whether the wait times were really 18 weeks or were longer.

Listening last night it was obvious that both sides are rearranging the chairs on the titanic. Much like here in the USA.  Everyone seems to be operating on the premise that it's just wasteful spending that we need to cut then we'll have plenty of money for all those important social programs.

[Pandora]

Under my insurance plan in Minnesota, in the clinic/physician system we currently use, if I were to call my doctor's office today seeking an appointment with my primary care physician, I may have to wait a week or two, but most often they can see me within a day or two. If I am willing to see a different doctor in the same practice, it is likely almost to the point of certainty that I could get in on a same-day basis. I've seen specialists on a referral from my primary care in as little as a few days to a couple weeks.

Wait for doctors visit as long as 48 days in Massachusetts.

A new poll of 838 Massachusetts doctors finds patients are still waiting weeks -- in some cases as long as a month and a half -- for non-urgent appointments with primary care physicians and certain specialists.

I've given up trying to find a family/general practice "physician"; I see a Nurse Practioner now.  She's very good and operates within a practice that doesn't take insurance -- the price list for everything is in the lobby.  If I need to see *another* specialist, she has a list of "friendlies" (I don't need permission from my insurance to do so).

There are fewer and fewer family practice/primary care MDs out there, thus the long wait times, and I put it down to -- what else?? -- government interference; low Medicare reimbursements and ever-increasing regulations have chased them out and discouraged new ones as specializing is more lucrative in terms of them operating in the black.

Obamacare is just going to make this so much worse.

[Libertas]

Well, when the fit hits the shan my sister the RN will be our family's sole medical expert.

[Predator Don]

Well....There is always leeches.

[Damn_Lucky]

Well....There is always leeches.

You take my Leeches and you owe me alot of Fish!

[AlanS]

Well....There is always leeches.

Oooh. I'm getting the warm and fuzzies.

[charlesoakwood]

I'm already feeling better.

[Libertas]

I'm already feeling better.

 

[Dan]

this will doom romney
good

[Libertas]

I think he's a decent guy Dan, but he needs to stay out of the race...it could get kinda brutal for him...and going ahead would indicate perhaps he is letting emotion and desire trump reason and reality.

[Pandora]

I think he's a decent guy Dan, but he needs to stay out of the race...it could get kinda brutal for him...and going ahead would indicate perhaps he is letting emotion and desire trump reason and reality.

Maybe he is a decent guy, sort of, personally.  But ,maybe there isn't anything decent at heart about a fella who believes State Socialism in control of peoples' medical care is permissible, as long as the Feds aren't involved; maybe there isn't, likewise, much decent about a man who cannot admit he was wrong.

Whereas I can admit, and do, that the political is personal to me and I hold a grudge.

[Libertas]

I think he's a decent guy Dan, but he needs to stay out of the race...it could get kinda brutal for him...and going ahead would indicate perhaps he is letting emotion and desire trump reason and reality.

Maybe he is a decent guy, sort of, personally.  But ,maybe there isn't anything decent at heart about a fella who believes State Socialism in control of peoples' medical care is permissible, as long as the Feds aren't involved; maybe there isn't, likewise, much decent about a man who cannot admit he was wrong.

Whereas I can admit, and do, that the political is personal to me and I hold a grudge.

I hears ya.  I don't ascribe full proglodyte intent of absolute control over all of humanity to Mitt's idea like I do Obammy's, I think he really believed he was doing something good back then, but that still doesn't make it right and it sure as heck doesn't mean he shouldn't be lit up like Mt. St. Helens for not admitting it was one big nasty mistake he made! 

So bad?
Check. 
Not admitting big boo-boo?
Check. 
Grudge? (I ain't voting for him no way no how either)
Check!

[Predator Don]

I'd have a little more respect for Romney if he would come out and admit it was bad policy regarding his states healthcare....and work to eliminate it.

Romney could turn this into a positive so easily......but he probably believe he made no mistake.

[Pandora]

I'd have a little more respect for Romney if he would come out and admit it was bad policy regarding his states healthcare....and work to eliminate it.

Romney could turn this into a positive so easily......but he probably believe he made no mistake.

Exactly the problem.  Despite evidence to the contrary.

Romney begone.

[LadyVirginia]

I'd have a little more respect for Romney if he would come out and admit it was bad policy regarding his states healthcare....and work to eliminate it.

Romney could turn this into a positive so easily......but he probably believe he made no mistake.

Exactly the problem.  Despite evidence to the contrary.

Romney begone.

 

I can't even talk candidates with my mom--she thinks Romney is the one. 

I'm beginning to think my mom is/was a one issue conservative Repub.  She worked long and hard in the pro-life movement.  But she was raised a dem and
and she likes her social programs.

[IronDioPriest]

I'd have a little more respect for Romney if he would come out and admit it was bad policy regarding his states healthcare....and work to eliminate it.

Romney could turn this into a positive so easily......but he probably believe he made no mistake.

Exactly the problem.  Despite evidence to the contrary.

Romney begone.

See, now I think he knows he f**ked up big-time, but doesn't see a way to say so without undermining his leadership cred. That health care plan in MA is a huge effin disaster, and a MAJOR blot on the resume of anyone seeking the GOP nod. If he admits it was a terrible decision, he's through. If he embraces it as a "states rights" solution he can still oppose ObamaCare.

Problem with that whole approach is that it's bullsh*t, and everybody knows it. I think Romney knows it too, but doesn't see another way.

[LadyVirginia]

See, now I think he knows he f**ked up big-time, but doesn't see a way to say so without undermining his leadership cred. That health care plan in MA is a huge effin disaster, and a MAJOR blot on the resume of anyone seeking the GOP nod. If he admits it was a terrible decision, he's through. If he embraces it as a "states rights" solution he can still oppose ObamaCare.

Problem with that whole approach is that it's bullsh*t, and everybody knows it. I think Romney knows it too, but doesn't see another way.

Then he should do the honorable thing and fess up and acknowledge to himself that being prez ain't in the cards....

[charlesoakwood]

Agreed, IDP.

The Bishops won't pick Romney, he's too close to being a natural human, if they make the choice it will be much worse.  Somehow the TeaParty must choose and then promote one of our own.  We must support that candidate and make sure he/she is in every debate.  

The Bishops will try to dribble different Conservative candidates at each debate and call it fair.  It will not be fair it will be a deliberate dilution
of a Conservative candidacy.  Voters fix an impression of each candidate and follow the message from that point.  If the voter is not presented the same person every time an imprint cannot be established.  The same two Conservative in every debate against the squishies would be fair but we cannot expect that.