State lacks doctors to meet demand of national healthcare law (California)

[thundley4]

Lawmakers are working on proposals that would enable physician assistants, nurse practitioners, optometrists and pharmacists to diagnose, treat and manage some illnesses.

SACRAMENTO — As the state moves to expand healthcare coverage to millions of Californians under President Obama's healthcare law, it faces a major obstacle: There aren't enough doctors to treat a crush of newly insured patients.

Some lawmakers want to fill the gap by redefining who can provide healthcare.

They are working on proposals that would allow physician assistants to treat more patients and nurse practitioners to set up independent practices. Pharmacists and optometrists could act as primary care providers, diagnosing and managing some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high-blood pressure.

"We're going to be mandating that every single person in this state have insurance," said state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), chairman of the Senate Health Committee and leader of the effort to expand professional boundaries. "What good is it if they are going to have a health insurance card but no access to doctors?"

Hernandez's proposed changes, which would dramatically shake up the medical establishment in California, have set off a turf war with physicians that could contribute to the success or failure of the federal Affordable Care Act in California.

LA Times

[CG6468]

I foresee fewer and fewer doctors in Cali.

[Undies]

Need more doctors?  We'll deem everyone to be a doctor.  And Skittles are aspirins. 

[DefiantSix]

I foresee fewer and fewer doctors in Cali.

I foresee something like the day labor houses supplying "doctors" in Cali-funny in the not too distant future.  If you can apply a band-aid, say, "take two tylenol" in reasonably passable english or dispense "the blue pill" and abortion meds to the correct patient 3 out of 5 times, you too can be Doctor for a day, Comrade!

[CG6468]

I foresee something like the day labor houses supplying "doctors" in Cali-funny in the not too distant future.  If you can apply a band-aid, say, "take two tylenol" in reasonably passable english or dispense "the blue pill" and abortion meds to the correct patient 3 out of 5 times, you too can be Doctor for a day, Comrade!

And then the libs will scream and demonstrate against "inadequate medical care."

[DefiantSix]

And then the libs will scream and demonstrate against "inadequate medical care."

Scream too loudly, and you can be given the blue pill for all that ails you, too, Comrade...

[CG6468]

Scream too loudly, and you can be given the blue pill for all that ails you, too, Comrade...

"Please step in here to interview with our panel of healt care experts."

[tac]

Pharmacists and optometrists could act as primary care providers, diagnosing and managing some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high-blood pressure.

That is the dumbest  thing I have ever heard. Why not call a plumber to rewire your house?

I have diabetes and high blood pressure and I'll be dead if I rely on those 'professionals' to advise me on a treatment plan. 

[Dori]

Optometrists?  I think they meant Optomologist, who is an MD that specialized  in eyes. 

[Undies]

I heard this phrase on a commercial for some new prescription drug:  "....so I asked my health care professional...."

Who would that be?  The Medical Billing Clerk?  She's a "health care professional".

Ironically, hearing that made me sick.

[docstew]

How long until the state of California starts required indentured servitude of it's med school graduates?

Oh, BTW, all the conservatives and productive Americans (BIRM) in California are invited to move to a state where they can keep some of their hard earned money. I know there are some who can't move because their industry won't be there (I'm looking at you Hollywood) but you weren't  conservative anyway.

[DefiantSix]

How long until the state of California starts required indentured servitude of it's med school graduates?

Oh, BTW, all the conservatives and productive Americans (BIRM) in California are invited to move to a state where they can keep some of their hard earned money. I know there are some who can't move because their industry won't be there (I'm looking at you Hollywood) but you weren't  conservative anyway.

Why else do you think governments at all levels are so hot to monopolize the student loan market?

[Lacarnut]

With fewer doctors, you will have less care and more malpractice law suits. Obamacare will go down as the biggest screw up this country has ever seen. 

[docstew]

With fewer doctors, you will have less care and more malpractice law suits. Obamacare will go down as the biggest screw up this country has ever seen. 

As much as people will suffer because it WILL fail, I hope you're right. Sometimes, your kid just has to touch the stove to prove to themselves that it burns, no matter how many times you tell them otherwise. Hopefully, the majority will finally be burned by socialism and will pull back.

[Conservative Libertarian]

As much as people will suffer because it WILL fail, I hope you're right. Sometimes, your kid just has to touch the stove to prove to themselves that it burns, no matter how many times you tell them otherwise. Hopefully, the majority will finally be burned by socialism and will pull back.

That will only work if the have skin in the game. Right now, ~half of our population doesn't. That half will be perfectly happy with all of us having substandard medical care.

[Lacarnut]

That will only work if the have skin in the game. Right now, ~half of our population doesn't. That half will be perfectly happy with all of us having substandard medical care.

The poor and those on medicaid will not have any money in the game but their ability to see top notch doctors will dimish greatly. My GP has quit taking new patients, and many doctors will refuse to see medicaid patients. I changed my medicare advantage plan at the first of the year because the other plan canceled 3 of the doctors that I go to. It is going to be a whole new world for the moochers and slackers.

[Conservative Libertarian]

A an old and good friend of mine is GP MD. He just recently retired from private practice due to medical reasons (retired at age 50--not really). The stress of the job was not working well with his heart problems. He had a heart attack 5 years ago and now has a stint. He took a teaching job at the local medical school. He said that he is glad to be out of private practice before Obamcare is fully implemented. He believes that it will get very bad wrt the numebr of doctors available and the crap that the government will inflict on ther ability to provide medical care.

I'll keep you all posted on what he sees wrt the numbers of doctors being trained and experienced ones staying in the profession.