Survey: Universal healthcare would boost MD shortage

Help me understand this - more people with better insurance will cause physicians to give up their practices? Is this the ultimate "cut off your nose to spite your face" tactic?

The idea of Universal Coverage should have great appeal for the reduced level of frustration that occurs when dealing with one payor instead of 40.

We heard the same talk in Canada when we went with a single Payor in the 60's. And it didn't happen.

You'll love the upsides of this type of system of payment. There are downsides but nothing that would approach the disaster in Primary Care that exists in the USA now.

How could this be anything but positive for doctors, particularly in private practice. I know so many people who go to the emergency room for simple ailments. I think the private practice business would near double if everyone could go. Check-ups would become more regular. So basically these Physicians are saying they prefer being lazy to being filthy rich. I guess its not like they took an oath to help people....

The problem is not the survey, but the interpretation by this website. Read differently, it shows that 89% of physicians are ready to accept universal coverage. Compare this to the days when the AMA could boast widespread opposition, the survey underscores how physicians see broad coverage as a means to improve medical practice for physicians and patients.

Interesting. But what will happen to these numbers if the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is passed? Doctors that do not want to perform abortions, pre-med students adverse to abortions and other healthcare professionals forced to assist with abortions may feel morally obligated to find different careers.