Elvin may get his wish.

Elvin Taylor of Waxahachie responded to an article about Medicare cuts in physician reimbursements. Elvin says he doesn't feel sorry for those doctors. I don't think Elvin gets it.


Elvin says that he's 80 years old, and he had trouble finding a doctor close to home when he moved last year. He says he finally found one 20 miles away. Guess what, Elvin? The problem is that fewer and fewer doctors are accepting Medicare patients because their costs are not being covered.

Elvin says the doctors won't refill his prescriptions unless he comes in for an office visit even though he's not sick. Guess what, Elvin? FDA regulations prohibit doctors from prescribing certain medications without seeing the patient. The doctor could lose his license to practice if he prescribes for you without seeing you. Guess what else, Elvin? If you're not sick, you don't need to be taking any medicine. Obviously something is wrong, or you wouldn't need the drugs.

Elvin complains that the doctors bill Medicare $150 for the office visit. Guess what, Elvin? Most doctors have high-tech equipment that helps them to diagnose your problem. That equipment isn't cheap. Most of them have receptionists who handle your calls for appointments. They must be paid. Most of them have clinics requiring electricity, running water, telephones, computer equipment. They have to pay for all that. Guess what, Elvin? Most of them have nurses on staff to help insure you receive optimal care. Those nurses didn't spend time in nursing school to volunteer their services -- they must be paid. Guess what, Elvin? The salaries of those nurses and receptionists aren't the only costs associated with employing them. The doctor has to pay social security and unemployment taxes not to mention any other benefits he might provide. Guess what, Elvin? That doctor spent approximately 12 years in school to take care of you, and it cost him a small fortune. He should be compensated for that.

Elvin says we should look at the homes they live in and the cars they drive and the property they own. Guess what, Elvin? I don't care whether he lives in a 15,000 square foot mansion or a 2-room apartment. I don't care whether he drives a Jaguar or pedals a bicycle to work. I only care about what kind of medical care he provides.

Elvin suggests those greedy doctors change professions to see what teaching in the public schools is like. Guess what, Elvin? You may get your wish as the effects of Obamacare and Medicare cuts drive more and more of them out of the profession. Then you'll be lucky to find a doctor within 200 miles of your house. I don't think you get it, Elvin.

"Doctors have it made." The Dallas Morning News; January 2, 2012; p. 8A.