Letters to the Editor - Oct. 15, 2007
How will a reworked health system attract those needed to provide care?
How will a reworked health system attract those needed to provide care?
Regarding "New Orleans grows into testing ground for medical homes" (Article, Sept. 24): The question of right or privilege to health care is getting answered in the current legislative efforts. But a huge underlying factor is going to be that physicians are not willing to work 80- to 90-hour weeks and suffer severe burnout and stress.
Most young physicians do not want to work like the previous generation did. As the income shrinks, we are not seeing new interest in geriatrics and primary care, especially in places with very high housing costs.
The article about post-Katrina New Orleans coming up with primary medical homes in local clinics is a great start. Ninety percent of those people are uninsured. As we face the current legislative efforts in California to give universal heath care, it will be interesting to see how the issues of cost-sharing in the community can be solved.
--Martina Nicholson, MD, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Back to top
Copyright 2007 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
