Medicare makes promises; physicians bear the burden

AMA Leader Commentary. By William G. Plested III, MD, Aug. 21, 2006.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from AMA President William G. Plested III, MD.

This July, my wife, Carolyn, and I had the pleasure of spending some time in southwestern Colorado. The beauty and grandeur of this area is stunning. We have been able to slow down a little and focus a bit of time on family and friends. I would recommend that everyone find a way to take some time out of your busy lives for similar pursuits.

I received a rude awakening several days ago when the headlines of the local newspaper announced that a relatively large local clinic stopped accepting new Medicare patients. The administrator of the practice stated that the decision was dictated by economics. The article went on to say that other practices in the area had made similar decisions.

This area is basically rural but has experienced changes that have been seen throughout the country. Farmers and ranchers have learned their most valuable "crop" is their land. Family after family have sold their land to developers who have cut it up into 35-acre parcels that are the minimum size to use wells and individual septic systems, or into lots that are annexed into existing towns or developed into their own metro districts.

The allure of the area has driven up the prices of such "dream homes" to the point that they are affordable only to out-of-town folks who have ready cash. In most cases such people are retirees (i.e., people who are Medicare age) and new to the area. This influx has been in addition to the general aging of the population that is widespread.