United States Code: Title 42,1395. Prohibition against any Federal interference | LII / Legal Information Institute
The above reference is the actual first paragraph of the Medicare Law which was passed in 1965. It is clearly an example of the extension of control that results when the Federal government "moves" into an area of public interaction. Even the title is, unfortunately, a lie: "Prohibition Against Any Government Interference. " Please follow the above link, and read the paragraph.
It is a fact, that the Federal government totally controls (or interferes) with the delivery of medical care. It controls admissions, discharges, payment to all involved, and rules, rules, rules. There are career ending "threats" if you don't obey these rules, and overall it has become an oppressive system for all "providers."
There are many reasons physicians are losing--or have lost-- their Professionalism, but the above departure from this earlier "promise" is pivotal. Society shouldn't want physicians to lost their distinction as "Professionals" for if they lose it, when someone is sick and in need of a physician's help their will be the feeling that you were treated with the same level of compassion as a customer ordering a hamburger at the McDonald's take out window. Not a pleasant thought!
I think it is important that we remain vigilant of this departure from government's original promises when Medicare was passed, and its eventual control of the system. Didn't we just pass a "drug benefit"? Where will the "control"of the pharmaceutical industry be ten years from now and how will it affect the pharmaceutical industry. Keep your eyes open.
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