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 “Medicare
was underpriced and oversold, and the bill, which is much more
than the “experts” predicted, is now coming due. This
will result in either higher taxes or limitation of services or
both. And, it will be non-medical government bureaucrats making
the medical decisions. There will inevitably come a time when
certain drugs and procedures will be denied to those who need
them because they “cost the government too much.”
If this sounds like an adequate description of today’s Medicare
conundrum, you’re in for a surprise. This excerpt was taken
from a speech given by Dr. Jack Schreiber during the 24th annual
meeting of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons about
the state of medicine circa 1967.
Now, almost 40 years later, the Journal of the American Physicians
and Surgeons felt it an appropriate time to rerun this chapter from
its archives. In a testimony to how socialized medicine, or Medicare,
has grown so little in nearly four decades, the speech lends a few
wise words that still ring true today, yet, in reality, are followed
only by the few and far between:
“For those physicians with moral character and foresight
… we should say YES to continuing to provide our patients
with the best medical care possible, with a commitment to charity
for those who cannot afford medical services. YES, I will continue
to deal directly with my patients, as my patient is my one and
only employer. And, I will assist my patient in providing information
needed to receive reimbursement form his insurer, but I will not
be party to the contract between patient and insurer. The patient
will remain personally responsible for paying for his own personal
medical care.”
To read this important speech in full, please click on the link
below.
Journal
of the American Physicians and Surgeons Winter 2004: 123-124
(Free Full-Text PDF)
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