begin rant
We have a pretty big crisis where I live regarding malpractice insurance. Doctors are leaving the state or moving to lower risk positions because of it. My mother's neuroseurgeon, who is one of the best in the world, told me he pays almost $500,000/year in malpractice insurance and he's never had a claim filed against him in 30 years. The reason I bring this up is because I was asking him about what he thought about all the advertising drug companies were doing. He told me that he felt that was the primary reason so many drugs were being prescribed needlessly. He said a patient sees some drug on tv or in a magazine ad and is convinced that is what they need. The doctor, even if they don't think that is what they need, will prescribe it anyway because they are so afraid of malpractice claims. It was really eye opening talking to him. We have entire counties here now that don't have pediatricians, heart surgeons, etc. because they can't afford malpractice insurance. To his credit, our new governor says he's going to propose some new legislation but since he's a lawyer I doubt he's going to hurt his own. I really can't wait to get out of this state sometimes. Did I mention it's SNOWING here today as well. :grrr:
end rant
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