Commentary: Why primary care doctors are fed up

By Vance Harris Published at August 26, 2009 Views 964 Comments 4 Likes 5

Editor's note: Dr. Vance Harris is a primary care physician in Redding, California. An earlier version of this commentary was posted on SERMO.com, a private, physicians-only online community.

Dr. Vance Harris says primary care doctors get minuscule payment for saving the system huge sums of money.

(CNN) — Health policy experts agree that any reform in our health care system must include a well-educated, caring primary care doctor who is able to manage the health of his or her patients with an eye to using resources optimally to keep costs down.

That's a tall order and it seems that few policy makers realize the value of primary care physicians.

People are making a huge assumption in this reform effort that as we extend coverage to millions who don't have health insurance, there will be doctors there to actually provide the health care. Fewer and fewer medical students are choosing primary care and many primary care doctors are leaving the field.

Read the full article at cnn.com

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	FiberAll September 5, 2009 at 12:27 pm 0 Likes I like this I don't like this Report as inappropriate My foot doctor CFNP deserves more respect than my regular doctor since she takes more time with me and so she should get the bucks, I am on medicaid and appreciate any doc or Nurse Practitioner who does more than give out drugs, sadly this points out that my state cut taxes and then the colleges increases the tuition and then the docs want more money so all of us pay. I will not be more honest, since I am sure I will be edited and I will leave.
	jigsaw August 28, 2009 at 6:11 pm 0 Likes I like this I don't like this Report as inappropriate I wonder, are we as patients as well as Doctors all helpless victims? I hope to learn more so I can make some intelligent decisions and possibly take an active role in a solution.
	caragypsy August 26, 2009 at 11:35 pm 0 Likes I like this I don't like this Report as inappropriate This is a very good article.
	Flicker August 26, 2009 at 10:26 pm 0 Likes I like this I don't like this Report as inappropriate If you choose to read the entire article, you will find comments about what some pcp's are saying about diabetic patients and why they get frustrated with some of their patients. This could serve as a warning to us to take a stronger interest in being invested in our personal health disciplines… It is an insightful article by a concerned doctor… I was impressed…

Commentary: Why primary care doctors are fed up

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