The New England Journal of Medicine reports in its March-April 2010 issue that 46.3% of Primary Care Physicians will likely leave the practice of medicine if ObamaCare passes. What a raging endorsement for Obama's health care reform plan from the liberal leaning NEJM. The Dear Leader and leading socialists - I'm sorry, Democrats - should be so proud. They should also be so proud for finding every parliamentary trick available to back door into passing this legislation. Back door being a key phrase, because that's where they are sticking it to Americans. The Democrats clearly don't have the courage of their convictions, which is no surprise, because they have no convictions.
Before you Democrats out there cast your final vote on ObamaCare this week, consider the results of the New England Journal of Medicine study; just another of the unintended consequences of the worst legislation ever in America. Also, consider the rest of the results of the survey:
Physician Support of Health Reform in General 62.7% of physicians feel that health reform is needed but should be implemented in a more targeted, gradual way, as opposed to the sweeping overhaul that is in legislation.
28.7% of physicians are in favor of a public option.
3.6% of physicians prefer the “status quo” and feel that the U.S. health care system is best “as is.
Health Reform and Primary Care Physicians
46.3% of primary care physicians (family medicine and internal medicine) feel that the passing of health reform will either force them out of medicine or make them want to leave medicine.
Health Reform, Public Option, and Practice Revenue (Physician Income)
41% of physicians feel that income and practice revenue will “decline or worsen dramatically” with a public option.
30% feel income will “decline or worsen somewhat” with a public option.
9% feel income will “improve somewhat” with a public option, and 0.8% feel income will “improve dramatically” with a public option.
Health Reform, Public Option, and Physician Supply
72% of physicians feel that a public option would have a negative impact on physician supply, with 45% feeling it will “decline or worsen dramatically” and 27% predicting it will “decline or worsen somewhat.
24% of physicians think they will try to retire early if a public option is implemented.
21% of physicians would try to leave medicine if a public option is implemented, even if not near retirement age at the time.
Health Reform and Recommending Medicine to Others as a Career
36% of physicians would not recommend medicine as a career, regardless of health reform.
27% would recommend medicine as a career but not if health reform passes.
25% of physicians would recommend medicine as a career regardless of health reform.
12% would not recommend medicine as a career now but feel that they would recommend it as a career if health reform passes.