[Racerbvd]

Anyone notice that Sen. Kennedy chose to have his surgury in the USA, not good enough to keep his money here, but was to save his life

Everyone seems to bemoan how to pay for the health care, but no one seems to discuss how to reduce the COST by charging less, for doctors to make a decent wage, but they all seem to be able to afford huge houses and expensive cars, as to why a hospital should charge $5 for ONE aspirin, etc etc.

You clearly don't don't what it cost, both financially and in time to become an doctor, do you??
Start out with just the cost of education

Annual tuition and fees at state medical schools in 2004-2005 averaged $14,607 for state residents and $33,036 for non-residents. At private schools, tuition and fees averaged $32,092 for residents and $33,666 for nonresidents These figures do not include housing or living expenses. But don't let these costs discourage you. A wide array of grants and loans are available to those who are determined to get a medical education.

Most medical students borrow at least a portion of the money they need to finance their education. In 2005, the median debt was more than $120,000.

Then the amount of time that it takes to become a doctor

It takes many years of education and training to become a physician: 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected. A few medical schools offer a combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 rather than the customary 8 years.

Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in physics, biology, mathematics, English, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in the health professions.

The minimum educational requirement for entry into a medical school is 3 years of college; most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor�s degree, and many have advanced degrees. There are 146 medical schools in the United States�126 teach allopathic medicine and award a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree; 20 teach osteopathic medicine and award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Acceptance to medical school is highly competitive. Applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test, and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider applicants� character, personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require an interview with members of the admissions committee.

Then, after all that, there is the cost of running a practice.
Not just the cost of the office, either leased or owned, but the staff, equipment, training, insurance, ect.

Medical Practices

Technology Startups & Established Companies

Homecare, Staffing Agencies

Device and Pharma companies

Healthcare service companies

MT, Laboratory, Billing, Other Service Cos.

And the hours a doctor puts in to his or her practice a week.
Add in the non pays like illegals & such, since they can't turn them away, then there is the emotional cost, how would you like to be the one telling a family their son, father, mother, ect, had a terminal illness, trying to save a baby who had been in an car accident??? Not being able to save someone's leg?? You don't think that takes a big toll on someone??

Doctors, like other professions also have to be licensed, and do continuing education. Do you have any idea what they pay for Mal-Practice insurance?? One reason a pill cost $5 is all the ones & other services that go unpaid for.

Yea, those evil doctors earn to much money, have homes too large for what they do


Funny, I don't hear anyone complain that it cost $12 to see a movie, $30 with pop corn an a coke, tickets for Pro Foot ball games over $100, and cost another $50 for beer & dogs. Over $100 for a good concert, and again, $$$$ for food & drinks. But no one is crying about what actors, pro athletes or singers earn.

On insurance, most people CHOOSE not to have it, when in reality they chose cable TV & the Internet, cigarettes, & beer over their health.