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["Lynda" <lurine AT com-pair.net>]

IF doctors would agree to practice at rural clinics, they don't have to buy 
malpractice insurance.  It is covered by the clinics in most cases.  They 
don't want to practice in the boonies.  They are only interested in the big 
cities.  Unfortunately, far too many don't get into the medical field 
because they want to treat and help people.  Far too many get into it 
because they see it as a way to get rich!

Our local hospital owns two of the three clinics in this county.  The other 
clinic is owned by a hospital in HumCo.  They can't find *real* doctors to 
come here and practice even though they don't have to do anything except 
show up for work M-F from 9 to 5!  $100,000 a year with no overhead or bills 
to pay for their practice isn't enough money for them!  And, over and above 
that $100,000, their student loans are forgiven by the government if they 
choose to practice somewhere like here.  They still aren't interested!

Tort reform is NOT going to cure the problems in underserved rural areas. 
Plus, probably a little known fact, malpractice insurance in rural areas is 
way less expensive because doctors are rarely sued in rural areas.

Our local hospital has been trying to recruit doctors and the best they can 
do is come up with FNPs.  Oh, and one PA.  The three *real* docs are 
planning on retiring and they can't find anyone to buy their practices.  One 
of the docs has offered to sell his practice for the value of the building, 
no less!  No takers.  The three docs are nearing 60 and they've made a 
bundle up here and not one of them has ever been sued.  One is a heart 
specialist.  One is an orth/surgeon.  The third is a GP with 
nutrition/sports med/weight loss/eating disorders as specialties.

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <DSanner106 AT aol.com>


> I agree, I have friends in those countries as well, and that is a  problem,
> but again the root is tort reform. We have a doctor shortage, and with 
> the
> 16 million new folks on the insurance lists will need 50,000 more. My
> daughter was in pharmacy school with many med school friends, all but
> one who have changed majors as the Medical profession in the US isn't
> a great one to be in right now. The massive insurance plan they have to 
> pay
> for to cover malpractice kicks in immediately but the money does not. The
> foreign doctors flood in to fill the breach, imported by the hospitals and
> health
> care providers themselves. Tort reform would make it reasonable for a  US
> Doctor to go to med school, finish and set up practice in our  underserved
> rural areas. Right now it is not possible.