By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Debate Over Doctor Shortages
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Debate Over Doctor Shortages
BusinessHealth ReformPolicy & Law

Debate Over Doctor Shortages

JohnCGoodman
JohnCGoodman
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

In my lifetime I’ve been right about some things and wrong about others. But here is one thing I feel certain about: the absolutely worst thing we can do in health policy is to make health care free at the point of delivery and try to supply all the care people demand at a price of zero.

In the Wall Street Journal the other day I wrote:

In my lifetime I’ve been right about some things and wrong about others. But here is one thing I feel certain about: the absolutely worst thing we can do in health policy is to make health care free at the point of delivery and try to supply all the care people demand at a price of zero.

In the Wall Street Journal the other day I wrote:

More Read

biopharma beat incremental change healthcare
BioPharma Beat: Incremental Innovation Is Sometimes What the Doctor Needs
Physicians Lose Right of Free Speech
Have You Claimed Your Hospital’s Location On Local Directories?
Medical Scribe Vendor Raises $2.5M
Requirements To Get In Partial Hospitalization Programs

ObamaCare says that health insurance must cover the tests and procedures recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. What would that involve? In the American Journal of Public Health (2003), scholars at Duke University calculated that arranging for and counseling patients about all those screenings would require 1,773 hours of the average primary-care physician’s time each year, or 7.4 hours per working day.

In other words, doctors will be spending virtually all of their time giving tests to healthy people! They will have no time to do all the other things we want doctors to do.

Here is Aaron Carroll’s response:

Look, there’s nothing inherently wrong with what he’s saying. The issue I take with the piece is that the problem he’s describing has absolutely, positively nothing to do with ObamaCare.

We have a doctor shortage in the United States. There are too many people who want to see a doctor, and not enough doctors to see them. This means that sometimes people have to wait to see a physician. This happens now.

I report. You decide.

  

TAGGED:doctor shortage
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

How Setting Boundaries Helps Trauma Survivors Heal
Health
October 30, 2025
how to improve REM sleep
Unlock Better Sleep: How to Improve REM Sleep Naturally
Wellness
October 30, 2025
uv protection in winter
Winter Sun Safety: Why UV Protection Matters Year-Round
Health
October 29, 2025
Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025

You Might also Like

heath exchange enrollment rates
FinanceHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Health Exchange Enrollment: Speed of Light or…Molasses

November 13, 2013

Worldwide Spine Surgery 2011: Products, Technologies, Markets & Opportunities, 2010-2020

June 14, 2011
planning is crucial for running a healthcare business
Business

Important Considerations when Starting a Healthcare Business

June 1, 2021
storytelling
BusinessHospital Administration

Pixar’s Magic: Storytelling is a Doctor’s Strongest Medicine

April 12, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?