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: Is the Medical Profession a ‘Special Interest’?
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 > Is the Medical Profession a ‘Special Interest’?
Health ReformPublic Health

Is the Medical Profession a ‘Special Interest’?

Michael Kirsch
Michael Kirsch
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
Don’t expect this humble blogger to explain Donald Trump’s broad and sustained GOP support, if our most seasoned political pundits are flummoxed.   Why is this man with no prior political or governmental experience trumping all of his competitors?
 
Is he ahead because he is right on, or is he leading because the competitors are way off?
Don’t expect this humble blogger to explain Donald Trump’s broad and sustained GOP support, if our most seasoned political pundits are flummoxed.   Why is this man with no prior political or governmental experience trumping all of his competitors?
 
Is he ahead because he is right on, or is he leading because the competitors are way off?
Like most folks, the conventional politicians are by and large an uninspiring lot who offer scripted screeds that are canned and calculated.  Indeed, most political junkees like me can almost orate their stump speeches, since they vary little from speech to speech.
 
Trump Appears to have no ‘Special Interests’
 
The conventional candidates often rail against ‘special interests’, a pejorative term that conjures up an evil group that is possessed by greed that tramples over the public good to serve themselves.  I challenge you to identify a candidate who has not spewed vitriol against these nefarious ‘special interests’.   When they do so, the audience reliably responds with loud applause.
 
 
Of course, this is pure political pandering.  Here’s why.  Special interests are not a dark and ominous cloud hovering over us ready to thrust a bolt of lightning impaling us.  We all are ‘special interests’. Every one of us either belongs to or supports one of them.  
 
 
  • My beloved first grade teacher Mrs. White belonged to a teacher’s union.  Is she a ‘special interest’?
  • Is the letter carrier who delivers mail to my house a ‘special interest’?
  • My accountant prepares my taxes.  I pay him for this service.   Does he have a ‘special interest’ to resist tax reform?
  • Are NRA members and gun control advocates ‘special interests’ who are trying to further their agendas?
  • Is Emily’s List a ‘special interest’?
  • Is the Sierra Club a ‘special interest’?
  • Are trial attorneys who donate millions of dollars to politicians to pursue good government or are they a ‘special interest’?
  • Aren’t corporations allowed to advocate for their ‘special interests’ like the rest of us?
If you carve out all of the ‘special interests’, who’s left?
 

When politicians speak of ‘special interests’, they identify them specifically.  If they were to name them, they would alienate many voters who support them.  Politicians want voters to believe that the special interests being targeted are other voters’ interests, not theirs.

 
 
Is the medical profession a special interest?  You’d better believe it.  We are gluttons feeding at the ‘special interest’ trough.  Physicians, pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, hospital administrators, medical device companies, nursing home owners, home care companies and medical insurance companies all have their own interests which may collide against the public interest.  For example, there may be many reasons why a particular artificial hip is used in a hospital.  Why are only certain heartburn medicines available on hospital formularies?  Similar questions can be asked of every medical specialty or hospital.  Get my point?
 
Who’s looking out for the patients?  What ‘special interest’ is advocating for them?

 

 
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025
contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Individuals’ Rights to Their Health Information: The Federales Awaken

February 3, 2016

Where the US Lags Italy in Healthcare

June 1, 2015

Sorry, Captain, There’s No Transparency in Medical Pricing

June 2, 2015
Public Health

Elderly Women With Sleep Apnea at Higher Risk for Dementia

September 14, 2011
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?