[Hoot Gibson]

I don't see MD shortages occuring as you say. Which is why there is going to be such a large growth in the PA and NP field. The future will be seeing MD's for the critical things and specialties, while seeing PA's and NP's for the common things, colds, flu, stomach aches, and follow ups. When you go to have your heart cath or surgery, the MD will see you, but following that you will mainly be face to face with the NP's, while the MD reviews your chart and any changes.

This will benefit everybody. The MD's will be able to focus more on the serious cases, while the clients receive faster and less expensive care. Anything short of dying, I go and see the NP's or PA's.

As far as the long lines for hip replacements?? I'm not sure what you are talking about? Maybe it is due to your lack of experience in the medical field, but more people are not going to be needing hip replacements now that they have insurance, and if you think there are people out there that go without them due to insurance, then you truly do not understand how our current health care system works. (maybe there are some cases, but not enough to be statistically relevant.)

This applies to any type of major surgery or procedure. If you have no insurance, and go into the ED at any local hospital in this area with chest pain, EKG comes back and shows acute MI, you will get your heart cath, stents, pacer, whatever is needed, and follow ups to ensure you are recovering if you survive.

I know many talk about paying for people's insurance, my point is that you ALREADY PAY FOR IT. Those costs that are absorbed by the hospital and MD's are just passed on to those with insurance.

Now let's say acute MI guy would have had insurance all along, when he was having health problems for the last 2 years, he maybe could have went to a doctor, got put on some meds, and never had his MI, this would maybe have cost a couple thousand (maybe less), instead of the hundred+ thousand that was spent.

Beetle, you obviously have more experience in the medical field than I do - I have none, but you have the same amount of experience in a government run system as I do. Socialized medicine, which is the goal of liberal Democrats, has always resulted in longer waiting times and reduced quality of care everywhere that it has been implemented. That is why so many people from around the world have traveled to the U.S. for medical treatment.

You are correct in asserting that the cost of providing care for the uninsured is already being passed on to those of us who have insurance and pay income taxes, but the difference that is coming with Obamacare is the increased interference of the federal government in the free market system. When government attempts to control costs, costs go up and shortages result. Do you believe that more than $700 billion can be cut from Medicare without impacting the quality of care for its recipients?

Capitalism is the most efficient way of controlling costs and matching the availability of goods and services with the demand for those goods and services. Massive government regulations creates shortages, rationing, and black markets. Medical care is no different in that regard than any other service.

Obamacare is all about creating new bureaucrats that will generally support Democratic politicians and the transfer of money and power from the private to the government sector. The government does not create wealth, it consumes it.