Health care column got it wrong

As a practicing physician, I was disappointed by [Morton Marcus’] support of the recently passed health care legislation [in his May 31 column]. While you made a couple of good points including rationing of care, the majority of your column missed the mark for me and my colleagues.

Considering you have a history teaching economics, I was dumbfounded you did not emphasize the cost this bill will be to our country—contributing to national debt spinning out of control. While we agree that health care needs reform, many of the best ways to do so have been totally ignored by those representing us in Washington (tort reform, portability of insurance).  

So many folks have such misdirected “compassion” for those who need government assistance when it comes to subsidized health care. While, yes, some are hard workers and are struggling, I personally deal with several able-bodied individuals who choose to not make self-reliance a priority and are on Medicaid. I have to think twice when I see some of these patients talking on cell phones (iPhones, no less) or working on laptops. I can only think what I am subsidizing is their desire for luxury items, not necessities in life.

Why have we evolved into this mind-set that responsibility is a bad thing? Sidebar: These patients do receive the same quality of care at my facility. One final note, please acquaint yourself with the time and financial commitment [necessary] in order to become a physician before you attack our income levels.
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Jenny Stuart