Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:40 am (PDT)
A few thoughts from a physician, an elderly curmudgeon, who graduated from medical school in 1943, and remembers well the practice of medicine when it was oriented to patient care, the relief of discomfort, whether it was physical or emotional, and to other than the profits of the insurance cartel or PHarma. I recall the days when it was a pleasure to see folks in my office who I felt to be friends rather than merely 'a patient', and payment was not a priority of interest.
I was delighted to see The President's press conference in the Rose Garden after meeting with a relatively representative group of nurses. I was a bit disappointed to see no representatives of The California Nurses Association represented. It was a relief to see President Obama with some of the true care-givers of the ill and disabled rather than a gathering with the opponents of medical care for all, such as the health insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the AMA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, or the AARP. Somehow the President, as well as the public, have the naive notion that the AMA represents the medical profession and that the AARP has other interests than being a gigantic insurance agency.
I would suggest that the next step be a protracted televised dialogue with a group of practicing physicians such as those constituting the Physicians For A National Health Program, 16,000 strong, who have been calling for health care for all for the past near 25-30 years. One might consider, as well, representatives of The American College of Physicians. who are well versed in the problems of primary health care and represent some 125,000 physicians nationally.
Mr. Obama needs to get the truth out to the American people who are indoctrinated daily by the vile propaganda as recently telecast on CNN, for one, by those who would profit by denying the American people care commensurate with that in most European nations. After all, most Americans relate to their doctor, who has been denigrated by the health insurance industry to the status of 'provider' in recent years. We need to get the message abroad that Americans should have the freedom of physician choice, the freedom to interact with their doctor without the insurance company dictating treatment and rationing of health care as exists in this country. We need to be met at a hospital emergency room by a physician or nurse rather than a clerk with a computer to obtain our "insurance information" .
The Physicians For A National Health Program
I have had first hand experience, or had relatives or friends who had first hand experience, with health care in a variety of European countries and have nothing but good to say for their experiences. Perhaps, Mr. Obama in his quest for health care should meet with some of the administrators of the programs in, for instance, France, The Netherlands, or the Scandinavian countries.
Time grows short !
Dr. Stephen R. Keister
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