Physicians, Get Real

Life is real! Life is earnest!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1897-1882)
Psalm of Life

Humankind cannot bear too much reality.

T.S. Eliot, (1888-1965), Burnt Norton

February 27, 2012

About reality, two poets can’t be wrong
For all of us, “get real” is their song.

The lyrics apply to we physicians,
Do these poetic admonitions.

These realities are unpleasant,
At least for the present.

One, There will be no permanent SGR fix,
Not with the present political mix.

Two, Medicare fees will fall in next decade,
Much of them bundled and prepaid.

Three, Market-based incentives will not occur,
Those on the left concur.

Four, Don’t count on national tort reform,
Barring a perfect political storm.

Five, Swing states could swing the right way,
As of now, polls show that sway.

Six, let's hope the public will remember
These things,come November.

Source: Susan Page, “Health Law Hurting Obama in Swing States", USA Today, February 27, 2012


Tweet: For doctors, present political realities are: no SGR fix, no fee increases, no market incentives, no tort reform.