My husband and I are internists ("primary care " docs) in private practice together. We own our own small business, which affords us a small amount of personal flexibility in caring for our kids, as well as trying to have a direct influence (however limited) on our income and lifestyle. Our patients like the small, yet personable setting of a "Mom and Pop Shop", as well.
We went into medicine because we actually enjoy caring for people. We never imagined that we would be facing financial instability on a very regular basis, not knowing when the next paycheck will come in, just so we can stay in business! It's not as if we live extravagantly,either (1950's brick ranch single level home, both kids in public schools, ec...). The fact is, when you own a business, you pay out overhead costs first before you get to eat. We pay our staff well, and naturally, give them full benefits, including health insurance. Well, those premiums are going up 30% this next year, as are many other costs. Are we getting paid anymore for our services to cover these rising costs of running a business? Just look at what Medicare is planning for us in the future to get the answer to that one....
I have ALOT of HOPE with Barack Obama, but so far, it's NOT because I think my life as a doctor and a Mom will be any better, personally. All this stuff about "enforced qulaity standards" and standardized electronic health care records- all sounds really nice with PR and marketing, but the REALITY is, I'm afraid that his government is going to expect the individual doctors/"providers" to spend OUR OWN time and money to provide these services. Yes- it WILL be more that WE have to do, for FREE, JUST TO TRY TO CARE FOR PEOPLE. How many thousands of extra dollars will WE have to spend for these computer sytstems in our offices, and how many hundreds of hours (unpaid)-will WE have to spend gathering the government required "Quality data", training ourselves and staff to use these computer systems, etc....??!.....when my kids are not getting to see us...
I know for a fact that alot of people think that all doctors are rich , and nobody wants to hear us whine about financiqal security. I'm not ASKING to be rich. I would, however, LOVE to have financial stability, which physicans in many OTHER countries (with National Health Care) enjoy. Yes, there IS a growing shortage of primary care doctors- and it's only going to get worse. Please tell me -Does Barack Obama REALLY care about this, or does he plan to shove these policies on us at our own costs (and ultimately, everyone's....) ?
