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Rapid Responses to:
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Electronic letters published:
![[Read Rapid Response]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif){kind=icon}
National Health Plan: Now
Misleading Study on National Health
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Edward J. Volpintesta, MD
Send rapid response to journal:
evolpintesta{at}snet.net Edward J. Volpintesta
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That unprecedented numbers of physicians are in favor of a national health insurance program attests to their desperation. Unfair reimbursement and excessive administrative hassles =have finally taken their toll. With government regulation a single clearing house will be provided for physicians grievances. The multitude of private insurers to which doctors are accountable forces them to spend too much time on too many fronts. This is exemplified by the frequent reports seen in the media of lawsuits by physician groups against private insurers defending themselves against unfair contracts, economic credentialing, and ranking of physicians into tiered networks. What’s more, the powerful lobbying position of insurers almost guarantees them the upper hand in negotiations with doctors. Clearly, the time has come for a national insurance program. Without government regulation, doctors and patients have no recourse to address their grievances. For those who look at national health plans elsewhere and focus on their deficiencies, it is important to remember that an American system will be unique and need not have the weaknesses that exist in other countries. Edward J. Volpintest MD Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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Catherine H Kassens, MD
Send rapid response to journal:
katiekmd{at}gmail.com Catherine H Kassens
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I question the accuracy of the data obtained in your study of physician support for a national health insurance program. Getting good quality data would require getting a crossection of physicians who are in active practice. The study may also have been biased by a difference in practicioners who chose to respond. If the study is truly representative of the opinion of US physicians, they need to travel abroad and see similar systems firsthand. Having seen medical systems in action in countries where the government pays for medical care, I know that patients and physicians in the US will be very sorry if they get what they think they want. Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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