Finally, Dr. Taber also made an especially telling point about inconsistencies in reimbursements.

"There are huge discrepancies and inequities between what the various sub-specialties are reimbursed for the same procedures." For example,
a family physician provides an arthritic patient with a steroid injection

into a knee and the orthopedist does likewise, on the same
day, in the same community, with the same materials and using the same
billing codes. But the orthopedist receives far more for their efforts, Dr. Taber says. "WHY?"

Why indeed? Perhaps because as our survey is suggesting, America's healthcare system is, if not completely broken, is nonetheless corrupt, malevolent, and controlled by greedy drones with only one concern, the bottom line and what percentage winds up in their own pockets.

Exorbitant malpractice insurance rates as a result of so many frivolous malpractice claims were uniformly attacked by a majority of respondents, not surprisingly with gusto. One other trend that is sure to come in for continued comment and analysis, the suitability of a nationalized, or, as some prefer to call it, socialized medical system for the US. Some respondents see it as a panacea, even a tenable solution. Others, of course, view it as a death knell for American medicine.

What's been reported here is a sampling of comments received to date. We continue to invite all readers to participate by sending email replies to:
healthcareopinions@dotmed.com. Any and all topics are on the table. We're also particularly interested in specific solutions you believe could be useful to the task of repairing America's broken healthcare system. So don't put responding off, and tell your friends and colleagues. At the very least, DOTmed.com Inc. would like to encourage a healthy (no pun intended) debate about an issue of vital importance to the country.



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