Today’s thoughts…

There are a lot of folks running around upset about the current health-care situation in America. Folks on both sides are screaming at each other, some making up outlandish stories in an effort to cast public doubt on the other side’s arguments. It’s infuriating to say the least, and calling it childish would not give enough weight to the implications of the word. It brings to mind one of my favorite lines from a movie, Men in Black. In this scene, Tommy Lee is sitting down with Will Smith discussing Smith’s character’s assessment that people could handle the truth about aliens being present on Earth. To which Tommy Lee replies, “A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you’ll know tomorrow.”

I think it highlights an important fact about us as a human race. As individuals, we are capable of being extremely intelligent, wise, caring, and noble human beings. Collectively, we revert to our more base primal instincts, becoming more pack animals and responding with a herd mentality. Fear and self-preservation start to drive humans in mass quantities. This also highlights another interesting observation about the human race: we are the most adaptable creatures on Earth. Ever since we came into being on this planet, we have adapted to nearly every environment or world event that’s been thrown at us. Some lives were lost over the years as we learned how to survive, but we adapted and thrived. So here’s an interesting problem: why are the most adaptable creatures on Earth afraid of change? We struggle against it daily! We fight against aging with creams, colorings, and pills. We force down new technology and ideas in an effort to maintain the status quo.

So here we are again, with change on the horizon, and people are scared and angry that someone will force change upon them. Sadly, no one can convince these people  how far from the truth this is. Nothing I say here will sway them, nor will anything said by anyone else. The only acceptable course of action I suppose is to completely back away from the problem, and let these people growl and snarl at any who approach, lest they disturb the rotting carcass in their possession. I wonder how many reforms that we take for granted today were slandered and hated upon their presentation to society. Were Medicare and Social Security viewed as the first steps toward Socialism when they were presented before the people?

*Sigh*

Of note from the doctor’s perspective, today on CNN.com I read a commentary from a doctor who asserts that even with sweeping change to the health-care system, who will be around to service the patients of tomorrow? In his article, he asserts that he has already saved the insurance companies thousands of dollars over the years, through his efforts of judicious use of tests and refusals to order unnecessary procedures. He emphasizes personal responsibility for one’s own health condition, and urges simple life changes to effect improved health. Yet, by his and his colleagues point of view, what is his reward for this? A mere pittance returned to his bank account in return for saving the insurance companies money. He claims that within the next three years many primary care physicians will be leaving the industry due to low payments by the health-care system as it stands.

And here is where I take issue with his rant. How much money does he feel he needs to make to be adequately compensated for his time and expertise? Is he basing this off of what his peers are making? Or his lifestyle? Maybe his own personal goals of success?

How much do YOU need to make in order to be happy?

Clearly, he is unhappy with his current situation, and is justified in rethinking his career path. It would be a tragedy indeed if the system lost another good doctor in this struggle. But his attempts to blame it on the current system, or the one to come, fail with some motivational analysis. If he made more money, would he be happy? Doctors that go to school seem more motivated by the lure of high incomes than the thrill of helping their fellow man. But, it isn’t wrong to want a better life for you and your family. The urge to be successful lies within all of us. We have a driving need to be happy. So he’s not wrong to believe he’s entitled to more from the system, but how much more will make him happy, and for how long?

Peace.

~ by Carl on August 25, 2009.