VERY IMPORTANT 60 MINUTES SEGMENT!

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone:

Just now finished watching my dear friend (the one I referred to in an

earlier post...the one who's taking Zoloft!!!) Mike Wallace on " 60 Minutes. "

His segment was entitled " Medical Emergency. "

I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

important subject.

Here are the Cliffs Notes, in case you missed it---Gotta type fast so I don't

forget!!

Since the words " hysterectomy " and " breast " were mentioned, I trust our Carla

might have the transcript, in case you didn't have a chance to see this.

Wallace was interviewing Dr. Leon , an inner city MD from New Jersey who

was described as a true " Marcus Welby, M.D kind of a doctor. " A man who

opened up a free clinic for the uninsured in the 1960's and never once turned

away a patient. (Nonpaying patients sometimes would bring him eggs or make

dinner for him, to express their thanks.)

Judging from appearances, I'd say you couldn't meet a nicer doctor. So

devoted to medicine is this guy.. that after he married his wife (a nurse) he

took her on a honeymoon.....to a leper colony!!!!! LOL!

Anyway, as you might suspect, the segment was about how the medical

profession is in big trouble.

NOT EXACTLY " BREAKING NEWS " to me, or to anyone else on this group!!!!

But four out of 's five children went into medicine because they were so

inspired by their father's love for practicing medicine. As I remember, one

was an OB/GYN, one a breast surgeon, one daughter a radiologist.

The elder Dr. said he was worried about what's happening with

malpractice insurance today because it will negatively affect the next

generation of doctors AND the quality of the doctors who choose to enter the

field.

said that practicing medicine is more about money than medicine.

(Again, not breaking news to us.)

But here's a SHOCKING figure: For one of Dr. 's children who is

practicing medicine, his malpractice premium 8 years ago was only $5000. Now

can you guess how much he pays---just..... eight years later?

$38,000 !!!!!

Because of these premiums, it's hard for docs to break even. MD income is

down 40%.

Today's medical office is more like a small business than a place of healing.

Doctors and their staff need a business degree just to deal with the

paperwork.

Very interesting figure about reimbursement. Some HMO's will only give a GYN

$700 TOTAL for doing a hysterectomy!!!!! That figure is $700 even if TWO

surgeons are present in the OR, which according to this report, is quite

common. So... $350 for each doctor????? OK, I'm starting to have a little

sympathy here.....

And, as the program mentioned this amount ($350) includes ALL POST-OP VISITS

for 90 days after the patient's hysterectomy.

(Hmmmm...Roma says under her breath...maybe that's why I had ONLY ONE post-op

visit lasting all of 3 minutes, and NOT the additional 6-week appt. most

patients have.......)

So, (no surprise to any of us) doctors have to practice " DEFENSIVE MEDICINE "

aka " CYA Medicine " . (as in " Cover Your Ass).

A patient can be a doctor's worst enemy, and can drive a doctor out of

practice.

These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4 MILLION !!!

Physicians in training now are scared from entering the once coveted,

prestigious, highly lucrative medical specialties like surgery and OB/GYN.

These fields have fewer students going into them. Whereas a " low-sue "

specialty like dermatology is attracting more doctors these days, than ever

before.

The OB/GYN son, who has delivered 3000 babies said, beginning January 1,

2003, he can no longer practice obstetrics because his yearly malpractice

premium would now be ........

$1,000,000. Yes, that's right--the premium alone (that doesn't cover his

overhead costs, etc...) would be ONE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

So, now, this son, to pay his bills, does ONLY prenatal care. No more OB.

This same OB/GYN son said one quarter of c-sections are unnecessary, but are

done because of the fear that the patient will sue the OB doc if a c-section

is not done " soon enough " . Not a good thing for either patient or

doctor--because of the obvious greater risk factor with c-sections.

According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of physicians are

sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE

for these " bad doctors. "

The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID THE

PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

These are the million dollar questions for our group (now that we're

examining the case of Dr. West, and " that Guiler guy " ) and of our country.

As some of you are aware, the proposed solution by many doctors is to put a

quarter million dollar cap on runaway jury awards for " pain and suffering, "

as is now the case in California. And has been the case in California.... for

what..about 25 years?

President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million dollar cap.

Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

The House is expected to vote on this matter in the coming week.

No matter what our opinions are about this issue (and I myself am very, very

conflicted), the one physician daughter said (well, I don't have a quote, so

this is a paraphrase of what she said........)

We all want to have qualified doctors enter the medical profession who love

medicine. The way things are going, many potentially wonderful doctors will

no longer go into medicine. They will simply choose other career paths.

Leaving us with the " Dr. Bozos of the world " ---to fill the void in the

profession.

Which we REALLY don't want, do we?????? .............

The pleasure of your feedback is requested.

-Roma

[Guest guest]

Thank your Roma for bringing this up.

> These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4

MILLION !!!

These awards are usually not the end result when all the legalities

have been gone through. First of all, the verdict in most cases can

be knocked down by the Judge and often happens. In other words, this

verdict may not stand in the end and would be made lower. Second,

there is usually an appeal process done by the looser which also

often results in the lowering of that amount. I don't have the

number in front of me, but the number of cases that actually end in a

high verdict are not that high as one might think. I think the

journals report this all the time because of its sensationalism. I'm

sure there are some cases that in the end, the figure can be that

high, but when it comes to a patient's whole life being ruined by the

neglected or cover up of a doctor and his procedures, that doctor

needs to be punished as well a the hospital. I have heard stories

that even when a doctor is sued and is found to quilty and punished,

they are allowed to go into another facility to set up practice. How

sneaky is that and it is perfectly legal.

I do think that something needs to be done with the frivolous cases,

but when it comes to a person life being turned upside down by a

negligent doctor, no caps, no way. Of course, the stickler is what

is meant by frivolous, well I'd have to do research on that to know

but I would guess that a person leaving the hospital in a coma is not

one of those types of cases.

> According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of

physicians are

> sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY

THE PRICE

> for these " bad doctors. "

>

> The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID

THE

> PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

That is the million dollar question that I have also raised to

myself. Get those bad doctors out and then maybe, maybe we can see a

change. And what is the one way in which we can do that at this

time, (since I doubt the medical community will police it's own

people), is to sue that person and hit the wallet, which

unfortunately is the malpractice insurer. Don't forget, some of

these cases lie fault with a hospital and not always a doctor.

Shouldn't said hospital be made responsible. Oh I can see the

opposition here, that would mean penalizing other patients. Well

there's got to be a middle ground somewhere.

I don't believe that it all lies squarely on the malpractice

shoulders as to why health care is so expensive. What about those

tissues costing about one dollar a sheet? I do believe there needs

to be some kind of reform to getting good doctors back in action and

not penalizing them. But that would also have to come with

compromise and assistance and possible solutions from the medical

community which I doubt would step up to the plate.

> President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million

dollar cap.

Well the arguement as I have heard, is that this is not surprising

since Bush's is best friends are with health insurance companies and

big business.

> Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

Because they are not interested in seeing doctors get off scott free

when they have seriously harmed someone. Case in point, the women

who had both breasts removed due to the mess up of a technician,

hospital and doctor; the young teenage girl who was given the organs

when they had a different blood type. These are the cases of

concern. Frivilous, I think not.

JenD

[Guest guest]

Thank your Roma for bringing this up.

> These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4

MILLION !!!

These awards are usually not the end result when all the legalities

have been gone through. First of all, the verdict in most cases can

be knocked down by the Judge and often happens. In other words, this

verdict may not stand in the end and would be made lower. Second,

there is usually an appeal process done by the looser which also

often results in the lowering of that amount. I don't have the

number in front of me, but the number of cases that actually end in a

high verdict are not that high as one might think. I think the

journals report this all the time because of its sensationalism. I'm

sure there are some cases that in the end, the figure can be that

high, but when it comes to a patient's whole life being ruined by the

neglected or cover up of a doctor and his procedures, that doctor

needs to be punished as well a the hospital. I have heard stories

that even when a doctor is sued and is found to quilty and punished,

they are allowed to go into another facility to set up practice. How

sneaky is that and it is perfectly legal.

I do think that something needs to be done with the frivolous cases,

but when it comes to a person life being turned upside down by a

negligent doctor, no caps, no way. Of course, the stickler is what

is meant by frivolous, well I'd have to do research on that to know

but I would guess that a person leaving the hospital in a coma is not

one of those types of cases.

> According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of

physicians are

> sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY

THE PRICE

> for these " bad doctors. "

>

> The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID

THE

> PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

That is the million dollar question that I have also raised to

myself. Get those bad doctors out and then maybe, maybe we can see a

change. And what is the one way in which we can do that at this

time, (since I doubt the medical community will police it's own

people), is to sue that person and hit the wallet, which

unfortunately is the malpractice insurer. Don't forget, some of

these cases lie fault with a hospital and not always a doctor.

Shouldn't said hospital be made responsible. Oh I can see the

opposition here, that would mean penalizing other patients. Well

there's got to be a middle ground somewhere.

I don't believe that it all lies squarely on the malpractice

shoulders as to why health care is so expensive. What about those

tissues costing about one dollar a sheet? I do believe there needs

to be some kind of reform to getting good doctors back in action and

not penalizing them. But that would also have to come with

compromise and assistance and possible solutions from the medical

community which I doubt would step up to the plate.

> President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million

dollar cap.

Well the arguement as I have heard, is that this is not surprising

since Bush's is best friends are with health insurance companies and

big business.

> Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

Because they are not interested in seeing doctors get off scott free

when they have seriously harmed someone. Case in point, the women

who had both breasts removed due to the mess up of a technician,

hospital and doctor; the young teenage girl who was given the organs

when they had a different blood type. These are the cases of

concern. Frivilous, I think not.

JenD

[Guest guest]

fine, but it doesn't wash with me! Even with a premium of $38,000, I'll bet the

doc still does quite

well, thank you. Docs should do well...they put in major effort and time to get

to a level where they

can make a greqt living if they choolse. There are not alot of suits unless the

doc really screws up.

I think even the million dollar premium, a figure which I will dispute as soon

as I can call up my

OB-GYN doc head of the dept. of UCSD in private practice and ask him what his

insurance is....perhaps

that's the premium for a whole practice of a group of docs....

Wouldn't it behoove all of us to turn against the real culprits? The

mega-corporations that are

screwing up the entire medical field,...i.e. the INSURANCE companies

themselves...those evil, greedy,

gouging, soulless diversified empires? Looks at the stats folks....they are

forcing all of us to

settle for way less. They tie up docs hands and tools...they discharge patients

too soon and too

sick...because of the bottom line profit figures....hosp stays at the turn of

the century were

SOOOOO much longer because they needed to be. As a nurse I know they cause

deaths, post-op infections

and complications and nurses are forced to leave the field in droves...in fact,

that's why I left. I

couldn't stomach this corruption and abuse anymore. Insurance companies ARE THE

REAL EVIL. Just my

strong biased opinion. gg

ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

> Hi, everyone:

> Just now finished watching my dear friend (the one I referred to in an

> earlier post...the one who's taking Zoloft!!!) Mike Wallace on " 60 Minutes. "

> His segment was entitled " Medical Emergency. "

>

> I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

> important subject.

>

> Here are the Cliffs Notes, in case you missed it---Gotta type fast so I don't

> forget!!

> Since the words " hysterectomy " and " breast " were mentioned, I trust our Carla

> might have the transcript, in case you didn't have a chance to see this.

>

> Wallace was interviewing Dr. Leon , an inner city MD from New Jersey who

> was described as a true " Marcus Welby, M.D kind of a doctor. " A man who

> opened up a free clinic for the uninsured in the 1960's and never once turned

> away a patient. (Nonpaying patients sometimes would bring him eggs or make

> dinner for him, to express their thanks.)

>

> Judging from appearances, I'd say you couldn't meet a nicer doctor. So

> devoted to medicine is this guy.. that after he married his wife (a nurse) he

> took her on a honeymoon.....to a leper colony!!!!! LOL!

>

> Anyway, as you might suspect, the segment was about how the medical

> profession is in big trouble.

>

> NOT EXACTLY " BREAKING NEWS " to me, or to anyone else on this group!!!!

>

> But four out of 's five children went into medicine because they were so

> inspired by their father's love for practicing medicine. As I remember, one

> was an OB/GYN, one a breast surgeon, one daughter a radiologist.

>

> The elder Dr. said he was worried about what's happening with

> malpractice insurance today because it will negatively affect the next

> generation of doctors AND the quality of the doctors who choose to enter the

> field.

>

> said that practicing medicine is more about money than medicine.

> (Again, not breaking news to us.)

>

> But here's a SHOCKING figure: For one of Dr. 's children who is

> practicing medicine, his malpractice premium 8 years ago was only $5000. Now

> can you guess how much he pays---just..... eight years later?

>

> $38,000 !!!!!

>

> Because of these premiums, it's hard for docs to break even. MD income is

> down 40%.

>

> Today's medical office is more like a small business than a place of healing.

> Doctors and their staff need a business degree just to deal with the

> paperwork.

>

> Very interesting figure about reimbursement. Some HMO's will only give a GYN

> $700 TOTAL for doing a hysterectomy!!!!! That figure is $700 even if TWO

> surgeons are present in the OR, which according to this report, is quite

> common. So... $350 for each doctor????? OK, I'm starting to have a little

> sympathy here.....

>

> And, as the program mentioned this amount ($350) includes ALL POST-OP VISITS

> for 90 days after the patient's hysterectomy.

>

> (Hmmmm...Roma says under her breath...maybe that's why I had ONLY ONE post-op

> visit lasting all of 3 minutes, and NOT the additional 6-week appt. most

> patients have.......)

>

> So, (no surprise to any of us) doctors have to practice " DEFENSIVE MEDICINE "

> aka " CYA Medicine " . (as in " Cover Your Ass).

> A patient can be a doctor's worst enemy, and can drive a doctor out of

> practice.

> These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4 MILLION !!!

>

> Physicians in training now are scared from entering the once coveted,

> prestigious, highly lucrative medical specialties like surgery and OB/GYN.

> These fields have fewer students going into them. Whereas a " low-sue "

> specialty like dermatology is attracting more doctors these days, than ever

> before.

>

> The OB/GYN son, who has delivered 3000 babies said, beginning January 1,

> 2003, he can no longer practice obstetrics because his yearly malpractice

> premium would now be ........

> $1,000,000. Yes, that's right--the premium alone (that doesn't cover his

> overhead costs, etc...) would be ONE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

>

> So, now, this son, to pay his bills, does ONLY prenatal care. No more OB.

>

> This same OB/GYN son said one quarter of c-sections are unnecessary, but are

> done because of the fear that the patient will sue the OB doc if a c-section

> is not done " soon enough " . Not a good thing for either patient or

> doctor--because of the obvious greater risk factor with c-sections.

>

> According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of physicians are

> sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE

> for these " bad doctors. "

>

> The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID THE

> PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

>

> These are the million dollar questions for our group (now that we're

> examining the case of Dr. West, and " that Guiler guy " ) and of our country.

>

> As some of you are aware, the proposed solution by many doctors is to put a

> quarter million dollar cap on runaway jury awards for " pain and suffering, "

> as is now the case in California. And has been the case in California.... for

> what..about 25 years?

>

> President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million dollar cap.

>

> Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

>

> The House is expected to vote on this matter in the coming week.

>

> No matter what our opinions are about this issue (and I myself am very, very

> conflicted), the one physician daughter said (well, I don't have a quote, so

> this is a paraphrase of what she said........)

>

> We all want to have qualified doctors enter the medical profession who love

> medicine. The way things are going, many potentially wonderful doctors will

> no longer go into medicine. They will simply choose other career paths.

>

> Leaving us with the " Dr. Bozos of the world " ---to fill the void in the

> profession.

>

> Which we REALLY don't want, do we?????? .............

>

> The pleasure of your feedback is requested.

>

> -Roma

>

>

[Guest guest]

fine, but it doesn't wash with me! Even with a premium of $38,000, I'll bet the

doc still does quite

well, thank you. Docs should do well...they put in major effort and time to get

to a level where they

can make a greqt living if they choolse. There are not alot of suits unless the

doc really screws up.

I think even the million dollar premium, a figure which I will dispute as soon

as I can call up my

OB-GYN doc head of the dept. of UCSD in private practice and ask him what his

insurance is....perhaps

that's the premium for a whole practice of a group of docs....

Wouldn't it behoove all of us to turn against the real culprits? The

mega-corporations that are

screwing up the entire medical field,...i.e. the INSURANCE companies

themselves...those evil, greedy,

gouging, soulless diversified empires? Looks at the stats folks....they are

forcing all of us to

settle for way less. They tie up docs hands and tools...they discharge patients

too soon and too

sick...because of the bottom line profit figures....hosp stays at the turn of

the century were

SOOOOO much longer because they needed to be. As a nurse I know they cause

deaths, post-op infections

and complications and nurses are forced to leave the field in droves...in fact,

that's why I left. I

couldn't stomach this corruption and abuse anymore. Insurance companies ARE THE

REAL EVIL. Just my

strong biased opinion. gg

ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

> Hi, everyone:

> Just now finished watching my dear friend (the one I referred to in an

> earlier post...the one who's taking Zoloft!!!) Mike Wallace on " 60 Minutes. "

> His segment was entitled " Medical Emergency. "

>

> I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

> important subject.

>

> Here are the Cliffs Notes, in case you missed it---Gotta type fast so I don't

> forget!!

> Since the words " hysterectomy " and " breast " were mentioned, I trust our Carla

> might have the transcript, in case you didn't have a chance to see this.

>

> Wallace was interviewing Dr. Leon , an inner city MD from New Jersey who

> was described as a true " Marcus Welby, M.D kind of a doctor. " A man who

> opened up a free clinic for the uninsured in the 1960's and never once turned

> away a patient. (Nonpaying patients sometimes would bring him eggs or make

> dinner for him, to express their thanks.)

>

> Judging from appearances, I'd say you couldn't meet a nicer doctor. So

> devoted to medicine is this guy.. that after he married his wife (a nurse) he

> took her on a honeymoon.....to a leper colony!!!!! LOL!

>

> Anyway, as you might suspect, the segment was about how the medical

> profession is in big trouble.

>

> NOT EXACTLY " BREAKING NEWS " to me, or to anyone else on this group!!!!

>

> But four out of 's five children went into medicine because they were so

> inspired by their father's love for practicing medicine. As I remember, one

> was an OB/GYN, one a breast surgeon, one daughter a radiologist.

>

> The elder Dr. said he was worried about what's happening with

> malpractice insurance today because it will negatively affect the next

> generation of doctors AND the quality of the doctors who choose to enter the

> field.

>

> said that practicing medicine is more about money than medicine.

> (Again, not breaking news to us.)

>

> But here's a SHOCKING figure: For one of Dr. 's children who is

> practicing medicine, his malpractice premium 8 years ago was only $5000. Now

> can you guess how much he pays---just..... eight years later?

>

> $38,000 !!!!!

>

> Because of these premiums, it's hard for docs to break even. MD income is

> down 40%.

>

> Today's medical office is more like a small business than a place of healing.

> Doctors and their staff need a business degree just to deal with the

> paperwork.

>

> Very interesting figure about reimbursement. Some HMO's will only give a GYN

> $700 TOTAL for doing a hysterectomy!!!!! That figure is $700 even if TWO

> surgeons are present in the OR, which according to this report, is quite

> common. So... $350 for each doctor????? OK, I'm starting to have a little

> sympathy here.....

>

> And, as the program mentioned this amount ($350) includes ALL POST-OP VISITS

> for 90 days after the patient's hysterectomy.

>

> (Hmmmm...Roma says under her breath...maybe that's why I had ONLY ONE post-op

> visit lasting all of 3 minutes, and NOT the additional 6-week appt. most

> patients have.......)

>

> So, (no surprise to any of us) doctors have to practice " DEFENSIVE MEDICINE "

> aka " CYA Medicine " . (as in " Cover Your Ass).

> A patient can be a doctor's worst enemy, and can drive a doctor out of

> practice.

> These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4 MILLION !!!

>

> Physicians in training now are scared from entering the once coveted,

> prestigious, highly lucrative medical specialties like surgery and OB/GYN.

> These fields have fewer students going into them. Whereas a " low-sue "

> specialty like dermatology is attracting more doctors these days, than ever

> before.

>

> The OB/GYN son, who has delivered 3000 babies said, beginning January 1,

> 2003, he can no longer practice obstetrics because his yearly malpractice

> premium would now be ........

> $1,000,000. Yes, that's right--the premium alone (that doesn't cover his

> overhead costs, etc...) would be ONE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

>

> So, now, this son, to pay his bills, does ONLY prenatal care. No more OB.

>

> This same OB/GYN son said one quarter of c-sections are unnecessary, but are

> done because of the fear that the patient will sue the OB doc if a c-section

> is not done " soon enough " . Not a good thing for either patient or

> doctor--because of the obvious greater risk factor with c-sections.

>

> According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of physicians are

> sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE

> for these " bad doctors. "

>

> The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID THE

> PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

>

> These are the million dollar questions for our group (now that we're

> examining the case of Dr. West, and " that Guiler guy " ) and of our country.

>

> As some of you are aware, the proposed solution by many doctors is to put a

> quarter million dollar cap on runaway jury awards for " pain and suffering, "

> as is now the case in California. And has been the case in California.... for

> what..about 25 years?

>

> President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million dollar cap.

>

> Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

>

> The House is expected to vote on this matter in the coming week.

>

> No matter what our opinions are about this issue (and I myself am very, very

> conflicted), the one physician daughter said (well, I don't have a quote, so

> this is a paraphrase of what she said........)

>

> We all want to have qualified doctors enter the medical profession who love

> medicine. The way things are going, many potentially wonderful doctors will

> no longer go into medicine. They will simply choose other career paths.

>

> Leaving us with the " Dr. Bozos of the world " ---to fill the void in the

> profession.

>

> Which we REALLY don't want, do we?????? .............

>

> The pleasure of your feedback is requested.

>

> -Roma

>

>

[Guest guest]

We have the $250,000 cap in IN and it led to a LOT of bad docs being here. I

don't feel that anyone has the right to tell me how much that I can sue for.

Tell me how much the loss of my child, Aunt or family member is worth. Or how

much their permanent suffering is worth. I can be sued so I don't think docs or

any other profession deserves special protection.

The problem is the docs didn't police themselves and now they all pay. Feel

sorry for them? I'll save my symphathy for their victims.

Am I angry? You bet. I've seen them treat the people I love like crap and know

all that will happen to them is that you'll get $250,000. They'll tell this to

your face. Mind you, not everyone is worth $250,000. My Grandma had surgery.

After, she was put in continung care in the hospital. They didn't care for her.

They didn't give her water or food. If they did bring it (at the demand of the

family), they just sit it by her. She was too weak to feed herslf. The family

complained, they threatened the family. My Grandma died as a result of their

neglect. Because she was old, lawyers said she wasn't " worth " anyhing. So the

only recourse was to go to the state and have the hospital cited for violations.

The family did this and they uncovered lots of violations, cited and fined the

hospital but this didn't bring my Grandma back. I'm not sure the people

responsible were really punished. Is this the care you want?

My case. They're ordering blood tests all the time. I'm going back, telling them

about my bleeding and I'm having more blood work done. Finally, they decide to

look at my bloodwork. Severe anemia, apparently bad enough to cause heart

failure and then I'm offered treatment. The ER doc did have a fit and berated my

GP doc for his failure. My GYN when she learns of my count just goes silent. My

counts have been low for 3 years. I wasn't told. I believe they do the blood

work and are NOT reading it. They're collecting their money for it. I feel

better now because of what I learned to do for my anemia from this group. Not my

doc. I have a problem with my GYN only offering bc pills and hysts. Not even

informing me about other treatments. I know she's getting away with this and

women are having hysts here. She attempted to paint a hyst as a simple procedure

with no problems after. I'm sure the women who do have problems are told they're

not related to their hyst. See the picture. It's ugly.

As far as the insurance companies paying only so much for procedures. They say

the docs are overcharging them to make more money. They are correct. So they are

only protecting themselves. I complained about my ears (need tubes). My doc had

his nurse wash them out with water. It was called surgery on my billing. I

didn't buy it. Neither did my insurance. I needed a refferal to a hearing

specialist and wanted one. The docs here do a lot of tests and unneeded

procedures and they're raking in lots of money. The hospital told them to stop.

They broke off with the hospital.

Here, they won't see you if you have no insurance and most docs will not take

medicare patients. You don't even want to go to the " free " clinic. A horrible

place. These are not the caring docs you're talking about. They are not going to

treat someone for a dinner.

The docs need to police themselves. They need to get with the insurance

companies and have their insurance lowered for good docs. (Like good divers pay

less). Then they need to set REASONABLE costs for procedures.

These docs knew what they were getting into. If they don't like it, let them get

another profession.

The doc you're talking about sounds like my son's Ped doc. A one in a million.

My son's doc was the only doc in town willing to take on handicapped kids and

very sick kids. There was a time we couldn't find a doc for my son. They said

he'd be too much work. Are these the compassinate docs you're feeeling sorry

for?

Let the docs take some responsibility for their problems which they helped

create themselves and let them be held accoutable. Let them pay according to the

injury or death that they cause. Greater injuries and death should cost more.

What's unreasonable. The truth is that big jury awards are very rare and are

given in the most terrible cases.

FIGHT this $250,000 cap if it comes to your state. My state pushed it through on

the sly. They are fighting it successfully in FL right now. I've read what the

" victims " are saying docs did to them and it would tear out your heart. One

woman being left with a brain damaged husband (needing full care) and 3 small

kids. She says $250,00 wouldn't do nothing to help her. I believe her. How could

it? The people who have died only have the voice of family left. Maybe you're

unaware of the recent statistics of how many people are injured and killed and

they'll able to hide it from the families. The hospitals know.

So be sure you listen to the other side before feeling too sorry for doctors.

Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.

ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

important subject.

[Guest guest]

We have the $250,000 cap in IN and it led to a LOT of bad docs being here. I

don't feel that anyone has the right to tell me how much that I can sue for.

Tell me how much the loss of my child, Aunt or family member is worth. Or how

much their permanent suffering is worth. I can be sued so I don't think docs or

any other profession deserves special protection.

The problem is the docs didn't police themselves and now they all pay. Feel

sorry for them? I'll save my symphathy for their victims.

Am I angry? You bet. I've seen them treat the people I love like crap and know

all that will happen to them is that you'll get $250,000. They'll tell this to

your face. Mind you, not everyone is worth $250,000. My Grandma had surgery.

After, she was put in continung care in the hospital. They didn't care for her.

They didn't give her water or food. If they did bring it (at the demand of the

family), they just sit it by her. She was too weak to feed herslf. The family

complained, they threatened the family. My Grandma died as a result of their

neglect. Because she was old, lawyers said she wasn't " worth " anyhing. So the

only recourse was to go to the state and have the hospital cited for violations.

The family did this and they uncovered lots of violations, cited and fined the

hospital but this didn't bring my Grandma back. I'm not sure the people

responsible were really punished. Is this the care you want?

My case. They're ordering blood tests all the time. I'm going back, telling them

about my bleeding and I'm having more blood work done. Finally, they decide to

look at my bloodwork. Severe anemia, apparently bad enough to cause heart

failure and then I'm offered treatment. The ER doc did have a fit and berated my

GP doc for his failure. My GYN when she learns of my count just goes silent. My

counts have been low for 3 years. I wasn't told. I believe they do the blood

work and are NOT reading it. They're collecting their money for it. I feel

better now because of what I learned to do for my anemia from this group. Not my

doc. I have a problem with my GYN only offering bc pills and hysts. Not even

informing me about other treatments. I know she's getting away with this and

women are having hysts here. She attempted to paint a hyst as a simple procedure

with no problems after. I'm sure the women who do have problems are told they're

not related to their hyst. See the picture. It's ugly.

As far as the insurance companies paying only so much for procedures. They say

the docs are overcharging them to make more money. They are correct. So they are

only protecting themselves. I complained about my ears (need tubes). My doc had

his nurse wash them out with water. It was called surgery on my billing. I

didn't buy it. Neither did my insurance. I needed a refferal to a hearing

specialist and wanted one. The docs here do a lot of tests and unneeded

procedures and they're raking in lots of money. The hospital told them to stop.

They broke off with the hospital.

Here, they won't see you if you have no insurance and most docs will not take

medicare patients. You don't even want to go to the " free " clinic. A horrible

place. These are not the caring docs you're talking about. They are not going to

treat someone for a dinner.

The docs need to police themselves. They need to get with the insurance

companies and have their insurance lowered for good docs. (Like good divers pay

less). Then they need to set REASONABLE costs for procedures.

These docs knew what they were getting into. If they don't like it, let them get

another profession.

The doc you're talking about sounds like my son's Ped doc. A one in a million.

My son's doc was the only doc in town willing to take on handicapped kids and

very sick kids. There was a time we couldn't find a doc for my son. They said

he'd be too much work. Are these the compassinate docs you're feeeling sorry

for?

Let the docs take some responsibility for their problems which they helped

create themselves and let them be held accoutable. Let them pay according to the

injury or death that they cause. Greater injuries and death should cost more.

What's unreasonable. The truth is that big jury awards are very rare and are

given in the most terrible cases.

FIGHT this $250,000 cap if it comes to your state. My state pushed it through on

the sly. They are fighting it successfully in FL right now. I've read what the

" victims " are saying docs did to them and it would tear out your heart. One

woman being left with a brain damaged husband (needing full care) and 3 small

kids. She says $250,00 wouldn't do nothing to help her. I believe her. How could

it? The people who have died only have the voice of family left. Maybe you're

unaware of the recent statistics of how many people are injured and killed and

they'll able to hide it from the families. The hospitals know.

So be sure you listen to the other side before feeling too sorry for doctors.

Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.

ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

important subject.

[Guest guest]

Yes, insurance companies are evil. They say that they're the real ones behind

the $250,000 caps. That they're trying to recoup losses from 9/11 and bad stock

market choices. They say that's the real story.

Geraldine Schaumburg wrote:

Wouldn't it behoove all of us to turn against the real culprits? The

mega-corporations that are screwing up the entire medical field,...i.e. the

INSURANCE companies themselves...ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

> Hi, everyone:

> I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

> important subject.

[Guest guest]

Yes, insurance companies are evil. They say that they're the real ones behind

the $250,000 caps. That they're trying to recoup losses from 9/11 and bad stock

market choices. They say that's the real story.

Geraldine Schaumburg wrote:

Wouldn't it behoove all of us to turn against the real culprits? The

mega-corporations that are screwing up the entire medical field,...i.e. the

INSURANCE companies themselves...ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

> Hi, everyone:

> I'd love to hear the views of Dr. , Carla and others on this extremely

> important subject.

[Guest guest]

I would think the frivolous cases would be shot down before court or not make it

very far, unless

there was a side issue. The insurance companies can afford what few terrible

cases do get settled

for high sums. I have ZERO tolerance for their whining since they are the

PROBLEM.

Docs did go into the biz fully informed so they can quit their whinin too.

I have to buy malpractice insurance and do a heckuva lot of continuing education

to keep the licenses

I have....it impacts my livlihood but then, I do not go to Monaco on my legal

drug

..(..er...pharmaceutical representatives) pushers tab. They need to suck it up

and quit putting it on

the victim's. They do have GREAT P.R. but as consumers, don't fall for it! gg

hpower4 wrote:

>

>

> Thank your Roma for bringing this up.

>

> > These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4

> MILLION !!!

>

> These awards are usually not the end result when all the legalities

> have been gone through. First of all, the verdict in most cases can

> be knocked down by the Judge and often happens. In other words, this

> verdict may not stand in the end and would be made lower. Second,

> there is usually an appeal process done by the looser which also

> often results in the lowering of that amount. I don't have the

> number in front of me, but the number of cases that actually end in a

> high verdict are not that high as one might think. I think the

> journals report this all the time because of its sensationalism. I'm

> sure there are some cases that in the end, the figure can be that

> high, but when it comes to a patient's whole life being ruined by the

> neglected or cover up of a doctor and his procedures, that doctor

> needs to be punished as well a the hospital. I have heard stories

> that even when a doctor is sued and is found to quilty and punished,

> they are allowed to go into another facility to set up practice. How

> sneaky is that and it is perfectly legal.

>

> I do think that something needs to be done with the frivolous cases,

> but when it comes to a person life being turned upside down by a

> negligent doctor, no caps, no way. Of course, the stickler is what

> is meant by frivolous, well I'd have to do research on that to know

> but I would guess that a person leaving the hospital in a coma is not

> one of those types of cases.

>

>

> > According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of

> physicians are

> > sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY

> THE PRICE

> > for these " bad doctors. "

> >

> > The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID

> THE

> > PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

>

> That is the million dollar question that I have also raised to

> myself. Get those bad doctors out and then maybe, maybe we can see a

> change. And what is the one way in which we can do that at this

> time, (since I doubt the medical community will police it's own

> people), is to sue that person and hit the wallet, which

> unfortunately is the malpractice insurer. Don't forget, some of

> these cases lie fault with a hospital and not always a doctor.

> Shouldn't said hospital be made responsible. Oh I can see the

> opposition here, that would mean penalizing other patients. Well

> there's got to be a middle ground somewhere.

>

> I don't believe that it all lies squarely on the malpractice

> shoulders as to why health care is so expensive. What about those

> tissues costing about one dollar a sheet? I do believe there needs

> to be some kind of reform to getting good doctors back in action and

> not penalizing them. But that would also have to come with

> compromise and assistance and possible solutions from the medical

> community which I doubt would step up to the plate.

>

> > President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million

> dollar cap.

>

> Well the arguement as I have heard, is that this is not surprising

> since Bush's is best friends are with health insurance companies and

> big business.

>

> > Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

>

> Because they are not interested in seeing doctors get off scott free

> when they have seriously harmed someone. Case in point, the women

> who had both breasts removed due to the mess up of a technician,

> hospital and doctor; the young teenage girl who was given the organs

> when they had a different blood type. These are the cases of

> concern. Frivilous, I think not.

>

> JenD

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would think the frivolous cases would be shot down before court or not make it

very far, unless

there was a side issue. The insurance companies can afford what few terrible

cases do get settled

for high sums. I have ZERO tolerance for their whining since they are the

PROBLEM.

Docs did go into the biz fully informed so they can quit their whinin too.

I have to buy malpractice insurance and do a heckuva lot of continuing education

to keep the licenses

I have....it impacts my livlihood but then, I do not go to Monaco on my legal

drug

..(..er...pharmaceutical representatives) pushers tab. They need to suck it up

and quit putting it on

the victim's. They do have GREAT P.R. but as consumers, don't fall for it! gg

hpower4 wrote:

>

>

> Thank your Roma for bringing this up.

>

> > These days, the AVERAGE JURY AWARD FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IS $4

> MILLION !!!

>

> These awards are usually not the end result when all the legalities

> have been gone through. First of all, the verdict in most cases can

> be knocked down by the Judge and often happens. In other words, this

> verdict may not stand in the end and would be made lower. Second,

> there is usually an appeal process done by the looser which also

> often results in the lowering of that amount. I don't have the

> number in front of me, but the number of cases that actually end in a

> high verdict are not that high as one might think. I think the

> journals report this all the time because of its sensationalism. I'm

> sure there are some cases that in the end, the figure can be that

> high, but when it comes to a patient's whole life being ruined by the

> neglected or cover up of a doctor and his procedures, that doctor

> needs to be punished as well a the hospital. I have heard stories

> that even when a doctor is sued and is found to quilty and punished,

> they are allowed to go into another facility to set up practice. How

> sneaky is that and it is perfectly legal.

>

> I do think that something needs to be done with the frivolous cases,

> but when it comes to a person life being turned upside down by a

> negligent doctor, no caps, no way. Of course, the stickler is what

> is meant by frivolous, well I'd have to do research on that to know

> but I would guess that a person leaving the hospital in a coma is not

> one of those types of cases.

>

>

> > According to the segment, only a " very small percentage " of

> physicians are

> > sued, ( I WONDER WHAT'S THE NUMBER?) but ALL DOCTORS HAVE TO PAY

> THE PRICE

> > for these " bad doctors. "

> >

> > The question was raised: " ARE THE GOOD DOCTORS DOING ENOUGH TO RID

> THE

> > PROFESSION OF BAD DOCTORS? "

>

> That is the million dollar question that I have also raised to

> myself. Get those bad doctors out and then maybe, maybe we can see a

> change. And what is the one way in which we can do that at this

> time, (since I doubt the medical community will police it's own

> people), is to sue that person and hit the wallet, which

> unfortunately is the malpractice insurer. Don't forget, some of

> these cases lie fault with a hospital and not always a doctor.

> Shouldn't said hospital be made responsible. Oh I can see the

> opposition here, that would mean penalizing other patients. Well

> there's got to be a middle ground somewhere.

>

> I don't believe that it all lies squarely on the malpractice

> shoulders as to why health care is so expensive. What about those

> tissues costing about one dollar a sheet? I do believe there needs

> to be some kind of reform to getting good doctors back in action and

> not penalizing them. But that would also have to come with

> compromise and assistance and possible solutions from the medical

> community which I doubt would step up to the plate.

>

> > President Bush is one of the ones in favor of the quarter million

> dollar cap.

>

> Well the arguement as I have heard, is that this is not surprising

> since Bush's is best friends are with health insurance companies and

> big business.

>

> > Trial lawyers and Congressional Democrats are opposed to this cap.

>

> Because they are not interested in seeing doctors get off scott free

> when they have seriously harmed someone. Case in point, the women

> who had both breasts removed due to the mess up of a technician,

> hospital and doctor; the young teenage girl who was given the organs

> when they had a different blood type. These are the cases of

> concern. Frivilous, I think not.

>

> JenD

>

>