or for those blocked by the paywall
It’s probably just coincidental, but there is significant overlap with this map and maps of divorce rates, abortion, and education levels.
Pete
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A lot of it has to do with wishing evil on the other. It ends up biting you. The definition of supply side econ.
The US also has a higher mortality rate than the EU because of how we wont allow a universal healthcare system. We want to suck. Well it is not we but starting in the south some people want to brag but they suck.
Interesting interview on Amanpour tonight. Doc discussing a column he recently wrote for the NYT, talking about the US health care industry is revenue and profit driven, even the supposed non-pofits, and the pursuit of revenue and profits pushes doctors into doing unethical things. Over time, the doctors have been bought off with higher pay, so that, now, the US healthcare system boasts the highest pay for medical professionals, and the system is the least effective, compared to other “wealthy” countries.
Now, doctors are leaving the profession in large numbers, not from burnout from the hours, but because they are demoralized by a system that will not let them do right by their patients.
For NYT subscribers, this page has a link to the original column, which is behind the paywall.
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It would be interesting, and perhaps instructive, to focus in on Wisconsin. The article ends up focusing on states that did not expand Medicaid. Wisconsin is one of those states and yet does have a low average credit score (only two counties are below average).
DB2
I posted here recently that I had outpatient knee surgery in December at one of the medical facilities owned by Mass General, and I posted a link to a Wikipedia page with facts about their non-profit tax status.
According to Wikipedia, Mass General revenues ending in 2017 was $13.4 BILLION.
From the Boston Globe
Dr. Anne Klibanski, chief executive of the state’s largest health system, Mass General Brigham, took home the largest compensation package, earning $4.3 million in total compensation in 2020, which was 3.6 percent larger than in 2019. The system did not institute furloughs or layoffs and ultimately reversed salary freezes, though the compensation increase came as MGB reported one of its worst operating losses.
Some businesses pay taxes - and then again some don’t. Let’s hope that Anne pays some taxes.
'38Packard
→ just because it’s a non-profit doesn’t mean it can’t make gazillions in revenue
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Well, in reality there is a fair amount of we involved. For sure, it can’t be denied that the inequalities of a lack of a universal healthcare system play a large part in the spending:outcome disparity, but it’d be a mistake to ignore the role that Americans themselves play.
Increasing numbers of folk do precious little to avoid needing medical care in the first place and I reckon that, even without the adverse effects on morbidity/mortality statistics of the uninsured, there’d still be a poor comparison with other developed nations. Or looked at another way, if the citizenry of those countries with universal health-care behaved like most Americans, their spending would rise for worse outcomes.
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When you pick a doctor god bless you. S/he may be your absolutely favorite god bless you. S/he may listen to all your concerns and tell you it is up to you, god bless you it is not.
That is a very hard realization. Caveat Emptor.
When you meet a doctor with impeccable logic, hold on to her or him. Btw that excellent doctor will often cost less directly and much much less otherwise.
Both DW and my PCP decided to part ways with the healthcare network (Steward in New England) that his practice belonged to recently. We were assigned a new PCP team by the network - a PA and an MD. They suggest that we first check in with the PA - then maybe you can talk with the MD. Both are women. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with a woman PA or MD (not sure how other guys feel here) so I’m off to go find me a new PCP.
Not looking forward to it… (and I’m not married to that healthcare network either)
'38Packard
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I thought you would have Medicare? What is Steward? I guess I can look. https://www.steward.org/about
I am surprised they assigned you! Was it just this is the doctor for you? You can simply say I’d like to interview her and then decide to interview another doctor if you like.
My first female PCP was by far my best doctor. She came late to every appointment because every patient got half an hour even though we are all booked for 15 minutes. The nurses hated her. The patients were mixed. I loved it. She was excellent. Her understanding of some problems were only okay, she was a PCP. The general care and attention were far better. She took her time. She worked late and the nurses would grumble.
I did my thing during the pandemic and lost 50 lbs. She told me her job was a tough grind and my losing 50 lbs was the best thing she has seen in her practice. As a couple with her husband she went back to NYC last year.
The new PCP is also a woman. Totally different. Right to the minute on time. Huge sense of humor I like. Right to the point this is what you need to do. She is often right and sometimes wrong. When wrong I have gone to the specialist’s office and gotten great advice.
The last time was a skin problem I saw the female PA. She was much better than either doctor. She solved my problem. Her solution was never going to damage me. It is an occasional thing now that is generally gone for longer periods of time. I can not say enough about how professional the PA is.
But again you have to very carefully size up if the treatment “COULD” hurt you and assume it will. Then try to see if the number of incidents is ultra low. If not back off.
If your really care if your doctor or PA is a woman I do not know what to tell you. Other than that is repugnant. People earn something in life not just you by your lonesome.
Sorry for you if I give you the impression that I am repugnant. You obviously haven’t taken the time to know me and frankly I don’t really care.
'38Packard
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I just found this sexist and untested. Like you just said about me not getting to know you. Well I saw what you said. I get it in the sense that I know you now. You do not give others that benefit of the doubt at all.
Actually I was taking the time to read your statements and get to know you. You always only want feedback that it is okay when not everything is okay. Or perhaps better put not everyone agrees with you. You can dry your eyes and live with that. LOL
Just a small point, your wife was seeing a male doctor… 
And now you are looking for another male doctor for her.
It is not a female doctor. She is a doctor. You have no clue about her as a doctor. You basically are saying a female doctor’s MD is not worth a male doctor’s MD sight unseen.
Further you can not read well. I was saying the idea of not seeing a doctor because she is female was repugnant. I said nothing about you.
Listen you asked for our experiences with female doctors. I have had excellent and varied experiences with female MD and PA. Their gender did not factor in. Even for the occasional rec-tal exam. Fool forced hyphen.
adding if you were in a work place setting up those parameters for a worker you’d be breaking the law. It is out and out discrimination. You’d be taken to the cleaners in a civil case. You do not hire based on gender.
SEPARATELY I have been complaining about misogyny and attitudes about ethnicity along with other attributes for some in our society for a lot of reasons. These attitudes are truly holding back our country.
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You might want to rethink this, for no other reason that women are a fact of life in healthcare and no longer relegated to the role of nurses, cleaners, receptionists etc. Maybe practise dealing with it at primary care level where, although diagnostic acumen is at least as important as in any of the specialties, the urgency of a speedy diagnosis has less chance of cropping up. Always a good idea to be aware that serious stuff can come out of left field and bite the best ever custodian of their body in the tuchis. You don’t want to be scrattin’ around for frivolous reasons then.
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Hi VeeEnn,
Thanks for your considerate response. I actually have had female primary care physicians in the past and I actually don’t have any real gripes about them professionally.
It’s probably me, but I just feel more comfortable with a male physician. I’ll take the assigned ones for now, but I’m pretty sure that I’ll look around and try to find a male. “Old school” I guess!
'38Packard
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Honestly I hope you find a PCP. Meaning if you jump out of the frying pan there might be no landing zone.
People in Boston, Hartford, NYC etc etc often have a problem getting anyone at all. Giving up a doctor can actually mean not having a doctor.
That is age related.
I am very reasonable as my dad used to say.
You do you.
I had a female PCP for 5 years or so.
SHE had issues with “male” patients. SHE made interactions with her, uncomfortable by telling stories about some purported male patient, that bordered on s&m.
Each annual physical bordered on s&m. IMO.
Due to insurance changes, we parted ways, and I was very content.
I had hernia repair. A female PA was being Alpha. I sidelined her by demanding to see the surgeon before going any farther.
You do you.
ralph
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I had a podiatrist 10 years ago that was a hack.
I went to another podiatrist that was the best in the Hartford area.
Both were female. Not sure what that had to do with it.
But yes you do you no one else will.
Of course when you know a doctor is just flat out wrong do not wait five years to leave him or her. That was risky.
Add Golden, CO to that list.
Do doctors not want to practice there or is there some other reason for the shortage?
DB2
At that point in my life, I was very healthy. I had no specific medical needs. Madam Blavatsky would have sufficed.
IIRC, I only saw her for the physical. All she did was order and read the tests and exams.
I did NOT view her as medically incompetent.
But, she did, IMO, have anti male biases. Hmmm…no. it’s more than biases. I think she had “issues”.
ralph has a strong internal sense of self.
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