\n
First of all – I like doctors. Some of my best friends are doctors, and besides that my life was saved three times by doctors. The problem is that\u00a0not all doctors\u00a0 have the same high degree of professional ethics.<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On May 13, 2009\u00a0” The Doctors” TV program was one of the most deceptive shows ever aired since the invention of television.\u00a0 The\u00a0panel of TV doctors\u00a0sometimes gives valuable information. More often, the medical information is dumbed-down and\/or sensationalized – a lot of cosmetic surgery and sex talk. OK – it is\u00a0a commercial\u00a0TV show intended to entertain first and inform second. I get that.\u00a0It is more difficult to understand how and why the doctors could sell their honor and professional integrity by participating in a program designed to give false information to the public.<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Specifically, the false information was that insurance companies are necessary for an effective universal health care system. Can you name one nation on the planet that has a universal health care system that is based on for-profit insurance companies?<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The problem with the May 13th show was that it dealt with a serious topic in a deceptive way. The summary of the show taken from “The Doctors” web site: <\/font><\/p>\n How can there be an intelligent discussion about the crisis in health care without including a discussion of the merits of Single Payer – especially on the day after five were arrested at the Congressional Health Care Hearing. Those five arrests followed eight arrests of Single Payer advocates a few days prior. Certainly Single Payer is a timely topic that must be included in any serious discussion of the health care crisis.<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The program never mentioned the Maryland school boy who died from a brain infection because he did not have access to dental care for an abscessed tooth. Also never mentioned was Edith Rodriguez who died on the Emergency Room floor after being ignored by\u00a0hospital personnel for an extended period of time.\u00a0 There was no mention of the number of deaths caused by medical errors. <\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also no mention of the\u00a0controversial and sometimes dangerous\u00a0system of ‘hospitalists’. In some areas, hospitals employ hospitalists who are MDs. It is their job to keep the patient’s own family\u00a0doctor out of the loop when a person is admitted to the hospital – seems to have something to do with turf and money.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instead the TV program\u00a0promoted the idea that health care in the United States is the best in the world.\u00a0\u00a0 Where does the US fall in the statistics on life expectancy and infant mortality? One of the\u00a0TV\u00a0doctors stated that we have the most expensive health care in the world because we have the best care. Give me a break.<\/font><\/p>\n Never mentioned was\u00a0the fact that 18,000 die in the US every year from lack of access to health care. How can 18,000 deaths be ignored – trivialized?\u00a0 That is like having a 9\/11 every 60 days – but worse because we are doing it to ourselves.\u00a0Who are the real terrorists – those responsible for 3000 deaths or those responsible for 18,000 deaths every year?<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “The Doctors” can correct the errors of the May 13th program\u00a0by giving equal time to a discussion of Single Payer. A follow- up show\u00a0in the near future should be aired. Guests could include those who were recently arrested because of their support of Single Payer. Also Ralph Nader. Also Michael Moore. Also Russell Mokhiber.\u00a0There is a long list of advocates who are available.\u00a0<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n“The State of Healthcare in America.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Have you ever been without health insurance, found yourself under-insured or worried about the rising cost of healthcare? The Doctors and a panel of experts give you real solutions to your healthcare and insurance problems.”<\/em><\/h3>\n