In the Obama box, I couldn't treat you because you're over 70." Dr tells patient

[RamboLiberal]

Shirley Rish of Mesa, Ariz., met with an orthopedic specialist earlier this month hoping for relief from some pain in her wrist. Instead, she received an unwanted dose of politics.

"Well, we're in a box, because I can't give you a cortisone shot, because of the valley fever," the specialist said, according to Rish, who had recently recovered from valley fever. "Your valley fever doctor would not be happy with me. But we're lucky we're not in the Obama box, because if we were, I couldn't treat you because you're over 70."

"I could not believe my ears," Rish said in an interview with the Huffington Post. She took what the doctor said to be a version of the false "death panel" propaganda spread by health care opponents. She told him she disagreed. "I'm 74, but I'm not stupid," she said.

The orthopedist, Dr. Ralph V. Wilson, did not return calls left with his assistant. Annette Procknow, practice administrator of the orthopedic office where he works, said she wouldn't comment, citing doctor-patient confidentiality. But she didn't shy away from talking about health care reform.

"It's a very emotional situation for lots of people, and here in Arizona we have so many senior patients, and it's also a big thing to our physicians who are trying to treat patients," Procknow said. "The number of Canadian patients we see in our office during the winter time for joint replacements is incredible, because they can't get it done in Canada with their socialistic medicine... People are only hearing certain things that are coming out from Obama, and our physicians know that."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/27/politics-in-the-doctors-o_n_270513.html

Just shut up and treat the patients Doctor!

[JuniperLea]

1. Who pays for the surgery for those Canadian patients?

I'm betting it's Canada. When they can't get help there, they send, and pay for, health services elsewhere.

So, the Canadians are getting the help they need.

We deserve the same.

I don't know about you guys, but I go to my doctor for health care, not politics.

Republican doctor in McCainville?

[Canuckistanian]

13. I'd like to know who all these Canadians are

They can't get joint replacements because of our "socialistic" system? Since when? My wife had a hip replacement 5 years ago (and BTW, she only had to wait 3 months).

And I doubt that our system is going to pay for an orthopedic surgeon in Arizona - the travel costs would be prohibitive.

I'm guessing that these are "snowbirds", people who spend their winters in Arizona and summers back in Canada.

They're probably filthy rich and don't like associating with the unwashed masses here in Canada.

That suits me - they're still paying taxes so I can have MY health care.

[JuniperLea]

16. I worked for the daughter of the 5th wealthiest Canadian...

In her billionaire home office here in the US... I signed her up for our company health insurance, and she looked at me like I had lobsters growing out of my ears! She thought I was mistaken when I told her she'd have a $10 copay in plan, and 80/20 coverage out of plan.

She really wished she was with those unwashed masses!

[Canuckistanian]

18. Names, name, I need names!

5th wealthiest Canadian? Let me guess - the Irving family?

[flor de jasmim]

2. oohhh, "socialistic" medicine

[Turbineguy]

5. I presume that means he has to do it for free...

right.

[PDJane]

3. That not getting joints here is a lie.

We get joint replacements and MRI's and all the rest. My mother, 83, has just been given the work up to find out if a joint replacement is necessary; it isn't, and she is the one who, with her doctor, decided that.

You people are being played like a dented flute.

[Wetzelbill]

4. sounds like a bitter McCain supporter nt

[Cherchez la Femme]

20. Doctor's don't realize how much more money they'd make

Most Doctors, from whom I've met (admittedly less than 30, and at least half in Princeton, NJ --MoneyTon-- no less)

My ex's father is a strict Republican and a Dentist. He cannot comprehend the huge increase in business he'd have if most everyone could get good dental insurance. Dental is usually the absolute last treatment even insured people get, if at all, because via budgetary triage it is the most expensive, it's rarely covered in insurance and when it is, it's not covered well/fully at all (I never had a bill LESS than $200- AFTER dental insurance "paid");
therefore if it were as easy as seeing one's Practical Physician, I'm sure Dentists businesses and income would at least double -- and probably much more.

There, again, Republicans are fighting against what would physically or monetarily benefit them.

Serially, are they all masochists?? :wtf:

[LostInAnomie]

6. Why would the government suddenly decide it doesn't like spending money?

Seriously, that has been the Repukes complaint about Democrats and the federal government for damn near a century. We've never met a spending bill or program to spend money on that we didn't like. So, why would we all of a sudden decide to stop spending money when it comes to senior health care? Especially, since they are probably the most consistent voting block out there. Why would we try to alienate the one group that consistently votes every election by going cheap on their health care?

You would have to be an idiot to believe this shit. I guess that's why the repukes eat it up.

[Spazito]

7. LOL, I bet the number of Canadians they see during winter is....

amazing, amazing given they might see three where there are NONE in the summer. Why, one might ask? Well, we do have Canadians who "winter" in Arizona, they are known as "snowbirds" just as the ones who inhabit Florida in the winter.

The vast majority of them are very well off and VERY conservative in their politics. They believe in jumping queues, both Canadian and American queues, stepping over anyone else to get what they want because they can afford it. The sad difference is, in Canada they cannot jump the queue regardless of their wealth, in the U.S. it is what health care is all about who can pay.

Again, the amazing number is, amazingly, not specified and for good reason.

[alstephenson]

11. Exactly. WEALTHY Canadians.

[Canuckistanian]

15. I was thinking the exact same thing

If there really ARE Canadians at that clinic, they must be pretty rich snowbirds.

[baldguy]

8. He should lose his license.

If he's going to lie & impose his politics on his patients, why should they trust him?

[G_j]

14. it's even beyond politics

he lied to his patient.

[county worker]

9. Canadian patients we see in our office during the winter time

There are a thousands of Canadians who come to AZ and CA during winter time. They are called snow birds. They come in their RV's and stay for the winter months. I don't think they come for the medical treatment but maybe get it while they are here.

[Spazito]

10. Exactly!

There are a few queue jumpers, very well off Conservatives who will walk over anyone to be first because they know that, in the U.S., money talks when it comes to who gets care.

[notadmblnd]

12. I think the Drs that are against this and use that lie as an excuse, are really afraid that

they're going to lose their kickbacks from the pharmaceutical companies.

[Saphire]

17. "I'm 74, but I'm not stupid," ...LOL. You go girl!

[Cherchez la Femme]

19. Dr. Ralph V. Wilson's phone number:

480 964-2908

I'm going to be calling his office to find out, chapter and verse, where that 'can't treat you over 70' is written.

What do you want to bet I get no elucidation on the point from the 'good' Doctor?


And they have the NERVE to say their practice is just chock-full of Canadian patients
--yep, way down in Mesa, AZ--
who can't get treatment in their Canadian "socialized medicine". :puke:


And what about the tens if not hundreds of thousands of Americans who can't get treatment at ALL from their "non-existent medicine"?

BEYOND disgusting.