I wonder if any of my colleagues are experiencing the same questions we are from our patients since the health payment reform legislation was passed. While my paint brush is small, I admit, my thoughts are not meant to cover any group other than those I have experienced.
The family practices that I am responsible for are all owned by our community hospital. As such we stand on the same principles, mission and policies of our hospital. We see who needs to be seen as many of you do I am sure. We always have and unless something critical happens (things haven't already become critical?) we'll maintain that mission and vision.
However...I am amazed at the number of patients whose only concept of this legislation is that "I'm getting free healthcare and I want it now". When told that benefits will not be seen for another four years we are met with surprise which then turns into anger. "I was told my healthcare was free." Sorry pal that's the way it is.
So much of the discussion on this topic has dwelled on the goings-on in Washington, DC, we seemed to have left out a significant portion of our population. Without making accusations I wonder if this was done intentionally. Keep 'em ignorant and only tell them what they want to hear. Couple this with the continuous debate, suspension, missed deadlines and back room discussion of SGR reform what are practices to do?
For this tenured veteran of the healthcare management work place I find myself asking more and more, is it time to call it quits, sit back with a cold one and watch from a distance? But then I find myself getting out of bed each day refusing to give in. We have patients to take care of.
See you on the flip side.