Heroes

[Behcet]

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i read in the paper this morning that a group of surgeons in west virginia is protesting the high malpractice insurance costs in that state by walking off the job and canceling all elective procedures. a group in pennsylvania almost did the same thing, but the governor stepped in with a (temporary) fix. i think it's great that a group of doctors was finally able to unite to stand up to insurance companies and lawyers who are starting to dominate medicine. it's time for physicians to get back control. the article i read states that malpractice costs for these surgeons will reach $100,000 next year, which is absolutely ridiculous - and also would've forced many of them to move to other states to be able to afford to practice. there's examples all over the country of similar situations where malpractice and legal costs are driving good physicians away from their ideal practice. OB/Gyns in rural areas have particularly been hit bad. i say 3 cheers for these guys and i hope they're successful and trigger a national movement.

 

[docB]

Last year when the trauma surgeons quit (for two weeks) in Las Vegas many people such as the state insurance commissioner called it a strike. The head of the group said "It's not a strike. We quit." The implication was that physicians are not bargaining or sitting at a table negotiating. We pretty much have the option of working when things are ok and quitting when they get too bad.
On a related note, does anyone know how the groups in WVa and PA got around the RICO laws on all this?