Doctor shortage impacting Fairfield County

When Dr. Joel Blumberg graduated from medical school in 1966, many of the students who were considered the best and the brightest went on to specialize in internal medicine, becoming primary care doctors, considered the front lines of health care.

[EDC]

Similarly, my last three OB GYNs, the entire group of doctors, no longer delivery babies and these were very large practices. Unless some form of tort reform is enacted with the current proposals, I think the situation will only get worse.

[LVTfan]

Interesting and ironic that one of the first upscale places hit by the lack of family practice doctors is the epicenter of hedge funds and the like, which have shifted what attracts the best and brightest away from serving others and toward lining their own pockets while -- arguably -- skimming much of the so-called "surplus" which once was more widely shared.

Is this progress? I don't think so.

But it sure works for some of us, I guess.

[anneutral]

The system in Massachusetts, while not perfect, seems to be working, and could be a model for a system of debt forgiveness in Connecticut.
But, of course, the law in Massachusetts says every citizen must have health insurance, and the state will help you find a carrier that works for your family. They also have a law in Massachusetts that requires all doctors to accept 'state' insurance, and something about all kids under 18 receiving premium healthcare as well as dental.
They are a few steps ahead of us in this regard.

[Jail Time]

EDC wrote:

Similarly, my last three OB GYNs, the entire group of doctors, no longer delivery babies and these were very large practices. Unless some form of tort reform is enacted with the current proposals, I think the situation will only get worse.

The group's in stamford..right?
That was mainly b/c of malpractice insurance.
They are the best ob's in fairfield county

[what a world]

Jail Time wrote:

<quoted text>
The group's in stamford..right?
That was mainly b/c of malpractice insurance.
They are the best ob's in fairfield county

A group in Greenwich also stopped the ob end of the business.

[what a world]

LVTfan wrote:

... have shifted what attracts the best and brightest away from serving others ...

Indirectly, certainly. I'm not sure precisely what you mean, but my understanding is that the cost of living in the area and the cost of starting up or even joining a practice is too much in the NYC/suburban area, when most are coming out of medical school with considerable debt.

My sister is up by New Milford Hospital. Since they affiliated with New York-Presbyterian, a bunch of the relatively senior doctors have moved out from Manhattan because the standard of living is so much higher.

But the PCP problem have been building for a while. My insurance, which is pretty good, reimburses about $60 for a PCP visit. That is really not that much to pay an office, nurse(s), receptionist, etc.

[Dave]

The Health care reform needs to have a chapter for malpractice, some of the law suit are a lie. People are always looking to make an easy buck regardless .that's why doctors have to close their business because of the high price the insurance charge for malpractice.

[Sam From Connecticut]

The state does not pay the doctors bills in full and take too long to pay them. I feel sorry for them and people who have state insurance. Go in Peace, and Praise the LORD, Amen.

[health care reform]

bet your sweet bippy Insurance Companies will fight to preserve the profits.

[Sam From Connecticut]

Yes, they will.

[anneutral]

uh-huh

[Sam From Connecticut]

Yes, Yes, and more Yes.

[bpt mama]

I think we need more doctors in Bridgeport on the east side I feel every one should speak English if you no what I mean. got to get away from the east maybe move out of town to many of them .

[Rose Among Thorns]

The insurance companies are running health care into the ground because they are too greedy and getting away with it. Doctors don't get paid very much reimbursement for office visits and then they have to pay huge amounts for malpractice.

[Santa Claus]

I am making a list and checking twice to find out who was nice and who was nasty. I will see you soon. Good Night.