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From: mef@wucs.UUCP (Mark Frisse)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: physician's union
Message-ID: <684@wucs.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 31-Jan-85 07:48:57 EST
Article-I.D.: wucs.684
Posted: Thu Jan 31 07:48:57 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Feb-85 00:19:33 EST
References: <344@harvard.ARPA>
Organization: Washington U. in St. Louis, CS Dept.
Lines: 37

> 
> I understand that in California there is a very well organized and
> effective physician's union and that physicians in Massachusetts are
> thinking of forming one too.  Does anyone have any comment on whether a
> physician's union is a necessary or beneficial thing?  Physicians say
> they need a union to deal with third party payers such as Blue Cross,
> the government, and other insurance companies and with employers of
> salaried physicians.

There are a number of active groups of physicians with great
concerns about the way medicine is changing - the Department of
General Internal Medicine at the Brigham could give you
additional details.  I wouldn't call them UNIONS though.
There are two major issues:
    1.  Is medicine a business?  If you think the answer is
        an easy YES, ask yourself if Fire Departments
        and Police protection also should be business.
        It is clear that there is a DOUBLE STANDARD
        of medical care in this country.  Just try to
        get into a good hospital without money or insurance!

     2. Are physicians reimbursed appropriately?  Probably
        not, an opthalmologist or cardiothoracic surgeon
        can make more money in a morning than a primary
        care physician can make in a week...and a lucky
        real estate salesman can make more than all three in
        just a few hours....The issue is appropriate for
        public debate.  How can the public (who pay the
        bills) help develop a reimbursement based upon
        how well a physician thinks, instead of what
        he/she does?

Personally, I don't think unions will help anyone's health
problems - I'm not sure they have done anyone much good
in England or Canada.

Mark Frisse, M.D.