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Monday, April 5, 2010

The Hippocratic Oath: Two Sides

A Florida physician has been in the news recently for posting a sign on his door. Some say he is violating his Hippocratic Oath. His sign reads "If you voted for Obama, Seek Urologic Care Elsewhere."

Dr. Jack Cassell says he won't refuse to treat anyone, but he wants people to know how he feels. During a recent interview with Fox News, Cassell claimed health care changes would hinder him from upholding the Hippocratic Oath and referenced a timeline of health care changes by David Camp. I wanted to know what he was referring to, so I searched the internet and found it. The timeline was prepared by the Committee on House Ways & Means Republicans.

Since we've all been interested in what future health care changes will mean to us and our MD spouses, I'm sharing the link here. I don't know if this is any more truthful than other summaries, but I'm going to look it over. Here is the link in case you want to look it over too:

Timeline of Major Provisions in the Democrats’ Health Care Package

Labels: healthcare

7 Comments:

Unknown said...: I don't get why people are all up in a tizzy about this. He's not turning people away if they support the bill, just saying he would rather not.

We happened to have dinner Friday night with an exec at Highmark, and he agreed that the bill will end up driving up the cost of insurance at least 15%. We're basically going to pay more to subsidize the people who otherwise couldn't have afforded it. I'm concerned about the numbers of people who will abuse the rules and not buy ins until they have a major accident or health issue. Things like that will further skyrocket premiums, make it harder for doctors to get reimbursed, and just make it even harder to get good people into the medical profession.

Ok..ranting end. ^_^; April 5, 2010 at 9:37 AM
ClosewithKathi said...: Interesting you bring that up, Matt. I was just talking with a few people who do not currently have health insurance either because of a preexisting condition or because they work for a company too small to offer it. It was unanimous that they would all wait until medical treatment was needed and then get it. The penalty for not having the insurance until that time will much less than the cost of the insurance, even with subsidies.

I don't see anything wrong the doctor in Florida communicating his anger that supporters of "change" have compromised his abiity to put the patient first. His expression is no different than a doctor not wanting to participate in abortions. People must be able to uphold their own principles within their career life.

To those who think he's wrong... would you want to be treated by a doctor who may have a beef with your political position or would you rather know it upfront and go elsewhere?; April 5, 2010 at 1:52 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm a sucker for intrigue so I can appreciate this sort of thing whether I agree with the position or not; it makes my day more interesting. So if he was my doctor, I would keep seeing him unless I felt his political feelings were overpowering his ability to demonstrate professionalism during appointments. I would definitely not announce my own political leanings, though. I would be afraid of biasing him against my well being...; April 5, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Matt said...: I guess typical business protocol would be to not express political views, but I guess in extreme situations it might be ok. I laud him for the fact that despite possible damage to his business he supports his convictions to express his opinion on the matter.

Personally, I think people who object to his sign should just go somewhere else. As with any objections, customers can take their money elsewhere. On the flipside of worrying about bias, I personally wouldn't want to give my business to someone with such a contradicting belief to myself.

My wife and her family are all in the medical field so we have very strong disdain for this bill. It was a very downcast day that morning...; April 5, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Unknown said...: This is absurd. There is a strong public policy against doctors DISCOURAGING current patients from receiving medical care. Many people are afraid to go to the doctor or don't like doctors as it is. This doctor is perpetuating such fears and opinions. Further, he should be concerned ONLY with the health of his patient, not with their political views. The relationship between a doctor and patient is sensitive and legally protected (i.e. doctor patient privilege). This flies in the face of such notions.
And just so everyone knows, it is offensive when people use MD as short hand for "doctor." not all doctors are MD's.
- Wife of a Future D.O. DOCTOR; April 7, 2010 at 2:53 PM
ClosewithKathi said...: Amanda, Sorry for the MD (which I do frequently). My own PCP is a D.O. Sometimes we don't think.; April 7, 2010 at 3:04 PM
davita said...: "To those who think he's wrong... would you want to be treated by a doctor who may have a beef with your political position or would you rather know it upfront and go elsewhere?"

Personally, I just don't want to know about it. When it comes to my health, all I care about is that my physician is helping me to manage my health. I don't care if he or she believes in purple martians, as long as they keep that fact to themselves and it doesn't hinder their ability to give me care. Aside from being a mass murderer or total freak, I only care that I am treated with respect and that he or she is looking out for my best interest in regards to my health.
But I was raised to believe that it's poor taste to talk about money [whether you have it or not] or politics with "strangers."; April 16, 2010 at 12:38 AM

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Monday, April 5, 2010

The Hippocratic Oath: Two Sides

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