A Sore-Throat Bug That Carries a Deadly Punch

Now we've got a growing doctor shortage, everybody has an average family cost of $13,000 a year for health insurance---AND YOU HAVE TO BEG THE DOCTORS TO HAVE ENOUGH DARN SENSE TO DISPENSE PLAIN OLD PENICILLIN WHEN THE PATIENTS ARE SICK?

I've got an idea. Let's lower the licensure standards on doctors and turn some sensible competition loose. When your $400,000-a-year ear-nose-throat guy balks at prescribing you anything, maybe an $80,000-a-year family practitioner who got a medical license on a 6-year program could actually 1) see you, and 2) help you. Your doctors are a cartel. Get some more, get 'em cheap, and take back the practice of medicine that is now being held hostage to, trends, fads and ridiculous licensing requirements.

Muser of NM 11:16PM December 24, 2009