Why do we see these headlines in our medical journals

Number 138 September 2009 Let’s Agree To Agree Let’s forget about Obama’s selling of reform–it’s In 1999 health care costs were 8% of the median high-class hucksterism. Let’s forget about the family's income, today they are 18% and, if conservative opponents who match or exceed his nothing is done, will be 35% in less than a exaggerations with low-class fear-mongering. decade. Both distort the facts. If coverage is expanded and improved, how can This Heartbeat will discuss why it’s important costs be controlled? I believe physicians have for physicians to become involved in the more direct control over costs than many of the healthcare reform debate. With our pens or in other sectors of the industry (hospitals, rare instances computer keys, we’re responsible insurance, pharmacy), and I think we should be in large part for the quality, quantity and cost of able to agree on a few examples. healthcare. We also have a vested interest in healthcare reform because it is our livelihood. Tort Reform Whether from the far right or radical left, I think there are issues on which we can agree to agree This is a no-brainer. All doctors need to be and participate. We can do this by “smart” telling their legislators and the public that there responsible management of our patients and by has to be tort reform as part of any healthcare voicing our opinions. reform. The ...