DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
25 comments:
It is important to note that the average M.D. leaves medical school with close to $200k in debt - which, by the time residency and/or fellowships have been completed can balloon to nearly $400k. No other countries in the presented data saddle physicians with this debt load.
I'm not surprised at all by these charts.
This is part of the reason people cannot afford preventive health care much less the medical bills when something is wrong.
Another area where the "professionals" are making a killing but they're doing it by off killing us so they can get to the next person in a hurry to make even more money!
I LOL when a doctor complains about being poor, and then drives their leased Mercedes home to a $500,000+ house. I do respect all of their hard work, knowledge, and desire to help mankind. They do deserve to make a good living. But the debt payments can't be that bad when I can spot more wasteful spending per month than the average person earns.
It is not the doctor's salaries that are causing health care to be unaffordable. It is the lack of tort reform, and the ever growing cost of malpractice insurance. Those numbers do show doctor pay is good, but let's look at it this way, a general practice doctor has 12 years of schooling (4 college, 4 med, 4 residency) before they can become a full doctor. They SHOULD be paid well. Also this area specifically is terrible for medical insurance reimbursement. Family practice offices can barely turn a profit because they are spending more than the insurance is paying them. Many of the family practice doctors in this area make less than 100k a year, which is a travesty considering what they had to go through to get their MD and becoming a practicing physician.
The recent medical school graduates will face quite a different economic reality than their counterparts who matriculated 15+ years ago. Older physicians faced far less debt (adjusted for inflation), significantly higher reimbursement, and lower insurance premiums for years.
Save neurosurgeons and a few other specialties; the Mercedes and manor-house are less realistic than times past.
let the doctor bashing begin... Folks, tell me any other profession that requiries the level of education --12-16 years post High School and incur well over $200,00 (more like 300-450,000 college and medical school costs are outrageous
.. and the level of risk--getting ruined from frivilous lawsuits.. and the extreme hours worked---on Call etc.. not seeing your family grow up...etc..etc..etc..
It's just ok for other people to make gazillions of dollars... but doctors.. well we are supposed to be just average because the average person thinks that we are just rich and greedy.. If docs don't deserve to make money... then I ask who does... if the answer is no one.. then I suggest these people go to Communist countries--since that system works so well......?????
How many doctors own rental properties around town that have fed the crime problem, I know, do you?
The OECD (Organization for the economic co-operation and development) is NOT a good source for medical health care pay/compensation. They overlook tax burdens in socialized countries listing compensation after taxes, but not liability burdens of U.S. medical practices. (I.E. malpractice insurance rates.) That the CRS uses them suggests an agenda to me! Click the link and enjoy the read!
OK Mr. Expert, e-mail me the information you'd like to have produced and we'll consider putting it up.
I agree with some others. I'm not a doctor, just a hard working guy who makes <> $25/hr. But, I didn't spend all that time in college and in residency. I didn't pay a kings ransom in college loans or in malpractice insurance.
Joe - why don't you show the actual profits these practices make and weigh it against the hours these doctors work and spend on call to get a true picture of actual compensation?
I don't think I'd want to do it and can see the writing on the wall... Socialized medicine = serious skilled doctor shortage.
Why do you think the good Dr's from countries with socialized medicine used to come here to practice?
I work with a doctor, and I can tell you that when insurances make their payments, they have a schedule of fees that is not even close to matching what the doctors' fee. The only doctors that might be cleaning up on medical treatment are probably not accepting insurance.(working on a cash basis, as many local doctors have begun doing as a way to fight the insurance companies. Walgreens just decided to stop accepting medicaid products for the same reason. you can't stay in business if the costs outweigh the profits.
Now, I know that doctors go through a hell of a lot of school and training and come out with a tremendous amount of debt, but that is beside the point. I can tell you one of the real reason that doctors cost so damn much...INSURANCE! Doctors these days have to carry an astronomical amount of Malpractice insurance because so many patients are out there filing lawsuits against them for petty reasons and getting paid out millions! Now I can understand a doctor amputating the wrong leg or something extreme like that and getting his ass sued off, but folks that sue over stupid things like an infection or non-life threatening or changing issue is ridiculous! The greedy and money hungry idiots and their lawyers are partially the reason to blame for such high health care costs. of course other factors come in to play, but this is a good chunk of it
I'm not against doctors being paid well. I respect the amount of education they are required to receive and what it costs for that education BUT with the substandard health care we have around here, I don't get how anyone can justify the numbers shown on these charts.
These days, it's all about the MONEY, not about the PATIENTS. It is obvious any time you go to the doctor.
They CHOSE to become doctors and should have done so to HELP people.
As I see it, many chose this profession to make the BIG BUCKS at the cost of their patients and forgot that they were trained to treat the illnesses!
ALL higher education usually consists of debt after the fact, that is why we tell our children if you want to make a good living, keep getting your education and get the degrees because that is what it takes. I don't think we tell our children, go to medical school or law school so you can screw over your patients or your clients to make the BIG bucks.
Those who believe doctor charges are not part of the problem are living in a fantasy world.
I have no health insurance. I work a full time job AND a part time job and make a descent living....BUT I do not go to the doctor until I HAVE to simply because I cannot afford the "preventive" care.
I pray every day and especially every time I DO have to go to the doctor that they don't find anything serious because with no insurance, I would find myself bankrupt real fast.
Let's forget about those suits that are justified! Doctors make many mistakes and misdiagnose more than people want to think they do!
One other reason for such increases is hospitals have become privatized.
As soon as that was allowed, patient costs went through the roof and will continue to do so, so that the hospitals make more and more money!
As I said earlier, it's a case of screw the patient, it's all about the MONEY!
Anon 11:57 and that is why because I have NO insurance I get ripped off when I go to the doctor even thought they know my CASH is good!?
Tell me that is the right way to treat a patient!
10:47
Right, it's the trial lawyers fault that costs are so high. Baloney! Lawyers can have their licenses revoked for filing frivolous lawsuits. I know that's the "in-thing" to say, but courts are highly UNamused by so called "frivolous lawsuits". Whenever one is filed, they're dismissed and the attorney responsible is generally reprimanded by the ABA (pretty severally I might add..hence the reason the ABA is the only self-regulating professional board in the US).
The real problem are insurance companies that take advantage of the population's general dislike of attorneys and other professionals. They pile on the costs knowing that we'll blame each other and not the insurance companies. You see it everyday with gas. Any rumbling of trouble and gas prices spike.
12:10,
You and TENS OF MILLIONS like you are the reason why we need a public option, and real health care reform. The status quo is untenable.
Those who are complaining about how much Doctors are paid are Socialist. "You will only get out of life what you put into it".. Doctors choose to go through 8+ years of college to make more money to buy a nice house and car. Why would anyone put themselves though the extra schooling if they were to make the same as everyone else. If it's so easy why didn't YOU do it.
They have to be making a fortune selling all the oxys like they are.
kaching, kaching!
Next.
You are all right! It is all about money and how everyone can get their hands on it. The Government, the Insurance companies, and the lawyers. The difference in the pay scale for doctors is that some get paid a fortune and some like the primary care doctors are paid peanuts. That is the reason why there is a physician shortfall. You can get an appointment with any cardiologist but not with a Primary Care Doc. Wonder why there are no PCPs-- there is no money for them. And where do they get the numbers of income. Physicians employed by hospitals and clinics make that kind of money not your doctor who has his own private practice who has incurred all the debt and overhead while caring for you.
You either gotta laugh or cry...I understand doctors should be compensated for their education but I have personally seen a bill where my insurance paid out over a hundred bucks for a visit where the doctor peeled a bandage off my foot,pronounced it healed,and left the room.Ridiculous.
When my toddler got a bead stuck in her nose a few yrs ago and we could not get it out,it took the Er staff 30 seconds and a vacuum to get it out.The amount billed?3 grand!WTH?
To blutojthetotmom -- you did not pay $1,000 for for the ER to remove the bead from your toddler's nose. You paid for the time and money it took to build your local ER, the time and money it took to staff the ER, the time it took to pay the clerk to check you in to the ER, the time and money it took to higher the nurse to check your toddlers vitals, the time and money it took to train an Emergency Room Physician to care for your toddler etc, etc, etc! I am amazed at the ignorance of the public when it comes to healthcare. Do you think someone clicks their heels and a fully staffed Hospital full of quality Physicians just appear out of thin air, ready to care for your every need. To all that complain that Physician's are overpaid please remember this; when the day comes that you or your love one's life is in the hands of a Physician don't forget to remind him/her about your financial views as this will help in reducing cost.
In the places where doctor pay is low their education is free.
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