In an article written by doctors, the myth of lawsuit abuse as being the cause of the cost of health care is once again debunked. In Fact and Fiction: Debunking Myths in the US Healthcare System, by Sarpel, Umut MD; Vladeck, Bruce C. PhD; Divino, Celia M. MD; Klotman, Paul E. MD, published in the Annals of Surgery on April 2008 – Volume 247 – Issue 4 – pp 563-569 the doctors conclude:
The United States has the most expensive and complex healthcare system in the world. Despite the magnitude of funds spent on the system, Americans do not achieve the high standards of health seen in other developed countries. The current model of health insurance has failed to deliver efficient and effective healthcare. The administrative costs and lack of buying power that arise out of the existing multipayer system are at the root of the problem. The current system also directly contributes to the rising number of uninsured and underinsured Americans. This lack of insurance leads to poorer health outcomes, and a significant amount of money is lost into the system by paying for these complications. Experience from other countries suggests that tangible improvements can occur with conversion to a single-payer system. However, previous efforts at reform have stalled. There are many myths commonly held true by both patients and physicians. This inscrutability of the US healthcare system may be the major deterrent to its improvement. A discussion of these myths can lead to increased awareness of the inequality of our healthcare system and the possibilities for improvement.
In a list of popular articles in MDLinx – Neurology, this one ranked #4 meaning the medical profession is reading about the myths that their lobbyists at the AMA and The U.S. Chamber of Commerce are spreading about lawsuit abuse.
I have written on this recently and hope you will read additional facts in these articles:
Lawsuit Abuse? Medical Malpractice Crisis? Shame on Doctors and the AMA!
The Public Deserves The Truth About Lawsuit Abuse and Medical Malpractice
Focusing on reform of the insurance industry is necessary if our country is going to move forward economically. Doctors are not being paid fairly for their work because of the insurance industry stranglehold on the health care system. Taxpayers are left holding the bag for the large numbers of uninsured and underinsured patients. People are sick and not getting treatment or are getting inadequate treatment.
As an attorney I am willing to support doctors in taking on the real enemy, insurance companies. Are there any doctors willing to break ranks with the AMA and its co-conspirator the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both of which sip champagne with the insurance executives at our expense? I’d love to see a doctor stand up to Big Insurance.
