THE MEDICAL PROFESSION CAN'T COPE

In My Opinion: a dilemma

Nation's Life Style and Expectations are Unrealistic

Seven hundred thousand Physicians and the American health care delivery system are held responsible for the care of approximately 300 million Americans including several million illegal aliens, despite many who abuse tobacco products, alcohol and illegal drugs; whose poor nutritional habits can lead to Diabetes, Arteriosclerosis, Asthma and morbid Obesity while reckless driving together with an unwillingness to comply with safe-sexual conduct lead to early death, long term disability, chronic illness and Infertility [unable to have children].

Despite their life-style, many Americans feel that prompt and proper health care is their right and should be provided at little or no cost [including the medicines their illness requires]. Their belief is so firm as to expect to return, in good health, to their previous life-style as quickly as possible and, If disappointed, will demand [and expect] monetary compensation, through legal means, from any one in the system who did not meet their expectations.

While ignoring world history, which teaches that it cannot and will not work that way, their demands and expectations are causing serious damage to their health care system which is without dispute and despite its faults, the finest the world has ever witnessed. 

Many articles in our Media demonstrate examples of that damage:

FDA investigations lead to the arrest and conviction of Doctors who prescribe too much pain relieving medicines while other Doctors are accused of medical malpractice for prescribing too little.

A 70 year old patient died following a necessary surgical procedure. There was no evidence of Malpractice. The family sued the Doctor for "Battery" for failing to inform the patient of that possibility; The Jury awarded the family $150,000.

Needed Doctors are retiring early or curbing services, such as delivering babies, because of malpractice insurance premiums that can reach as high as two hundred thousand dollars per year.

Our FDA is being severely criticized for approving drugs that can harm some patients while the majorities who use the same drug receive great relief of their illness.

Be aware, Penicillin and Aspirin have been known to cause deaths. In my many years of practice experience I have not heard of a medicine that didn't hurt someone.

Two plus two doesn't always add up to four in the health care business. Sometimes it's three, four or five depending on your family history, weight, age, blood pressure, Genes, eating and drinking habits and whether or not you use tobacco products etc.

Each of you is different.

Vincent W Cangello MD, Medical Director, Health Care Reform Educational  Institute,.