Healthcare: An idea

[Uben]

As we all know, more and more doctors are turning to specializing rather than setting up family practices because that's where the big money is. We need more, a lot more GPs. Why can't we set up a program to fund medical degrees with a contingency that those degrees be used to set up a family practice for say at least 15 yrs? As university degrees become more and more outrageous, students want/need to make a ton of money just to pay off their loans. Funding a program like this would provide more family docs to fill the positions for a government led public option. We need to put our money where it benefits the taxpayer the most, not the insurance cos or big pharma!
Also, we need to nationalize physician insurance to reel in the costs of liability. Controlling these costs could bring the cost of healthcare way down.
And finally, we have got to get a handle on the costs of medications. Big Pharma lobbyists are allowed to pump too much money to political campaigns. Strictly limiting the amount of their contributuions to campaigns would surely change the outcome of votes that BENEFIT TAXPAYERS rather than corporate interests.

[zipplewrath]

1. Civil Academy

I've been kicking around an idea like this for years. We have the military academies, where anyone who can get in will receive a quality education in a subject of interest to the US, and then commit to a certain number of years of service to the country. So why don't we create a "Civilian" academy where folks earn degrees in certain key subjects and commit to 6 years of service? I originally thought of it for something like diplomats. Then I expanded it to be for civil service in general. Wouldn't it be great if candidates held out their service and graduation from this academy when running for political office? Lately it has occurred to me that it should include focus in math and science as well as eduation, sort of a feeder program for "teach for America". It could also include a medical program to produce doctors and other practitioners to work in rural areas.

Most folks don't know that West Point was started by Jefferson because he wanted a national university. Jefferson was very big on eduation and was instrumental in starting The University of Virginia. West Point ended up being one of the better investments of the early part of this country. They were all basically educated in civil engineering (making roads and bridges as well as other basic construction skills were instrumental to war fighting in those days). These people went on to build the roads, bridges, canals, and railroads of our westward expansion. 150 years later the GI-bill did something much the same. Lincoln's land grant college program had a similar effect. The time does seem ripe to start a civilian academy. Then maybe Jessica Lynch wouldn't need to become a soldier to get an education.

[Clear Blue Sky]

2. Good idea.

Debt load can never be paid back on primary care salary.

Model after ROTC program. Free education in exchange for commitment to work in primary care for x number of years.

Litigation costs do need to be contained too.

[obliviously]

4. The most inteligent post I have

seen in days concerning healthcare on this website. Continue sharing your opinions! Thank you!

[wolfgangmo]

3. Another addition to this would be to

Extend that option to current GP's. Lot's of them are either moving out of country or changing careers. Let's give them a reason to stick around.