Obama Doctors Taking Tonsils Out For Money Instead Of Diagnosing It As Allergies

[MegaAlexme]

I love how this liberal idiot pays thousands of dollars a year to send his kids to private school. What a fucking piece of shit he is.

[wwstiger]

This guy is a total idiot! I am a doctor and this is not what happens. He is a typical lying lawyer and just wants to stick it to us hardworking doctors. He wants socialism in america.

[JohnnyBoyCali]

He's right. Doctors are the worst crooks we have in our nation. Doctors are the only profession that will see you literally minutes, charge you hundreds and thousands of dollars and in the end tell you sorry I dont know whats wrong with you but heres my bill.

[mthivier]

I have been a healthcare administrator for 22 years, and couldn't be more disgusted at the way physicians are being screwed. To become a doctor, once must complete an undergrad degree, a medical degree, a residency lasting four to seven years, and most often a clinical and/or a research fellowship. That's an average of 12 - 15 years of training, all or an average salary of $150 - 175K. Sounds like a lot of money to most of us, but compare that to the MILLIONS that the Wall Street scam artists

[mthivier]

(cont). make annually. And also, consider both the unwavering excellence we expect of the profession, and also that if you are on a train or in an airport and have a medical emergency, and a physician is present, he is legally and ethically bound to help you. From no other profession, save police, firefighters and the military, whose jobs may cost them their lives, do we demand so much. Obama should be ASHAMED at throwing doctors under the bus for his own political gain.

[JohnnyBoyCali]

@mthivier What a joke. So what if they go to school for 10 years. Lots of professions such as engineers, computer scientists, etc require years of schooling and they PAY for RESULTS not because you went to school for a long time. Doctors are the only profession that can just shrug their shoulders say I dont know whats wrong with you but here's a pain killer and a bill for hundreds of dollars. These people are crooks and make a fortune all day just handing out pills that make people worse.

[jxjmd1]

@JohnnyBoyCali I don't know where you got the 10 year figure. If you are going to compare Physicians to engineers and computer scientists, you need to include undergraduate training also. Undergraduate=4yrs, Med school=4yrs and Residency=3 to 8yrs. So the figure is more like 11 to 16 yrs. Most engineers go to school for 4-6 yrs and then get to work. You don't know what you are talking about so do yourself a favor and keep your misguided thoughts to yourself.

[JohnnyBoyCali]

@jxjmd1 ha ha everytime i talk to people about doctors and their education the number of years goes up. It goes from 8 years to 10 years and now you're saying 16 years. The next person will tell me its 20 years to become a doctor. Either way all those years just to sit on their asses and charge someone a fortune to prescribe them pain killers or antibiotics. Its the most crooked profession there i

[wwstiger]

@JohnnyBoyCali You have no idea what you are talking about. What have you done in your life? Why do you envy people working harder than you to earn more? I bet you prefer communism where every1 gets paid equally no matter what.

[JohnnyBoyCali]

@wwstiger Actually I earn a very high wage doing computer programming. Not because I went to school for years and years but because I produce high quality work for companies.I dont sit on my ass like a doctor and charge people a fortune to see them a few minutes and write a prescription that I know will make them sicker. I'm proud of who I am and the work I do.

[wwstiger]

@JohnnyBoyCali You are an ignnorant fool.

[jxjmd1]

@mthivier Actually, residency/fellowship salary is only about $35k to $40k a year.

Residents are often not allowed to take vacation, sick days or even lunch breaks. When I was a general surgery resident, my boss told me that I could only call in sick if I was a patient on a ventilator in the ICU.

[jxjmd1]

Medicare allowable doctor compensation (in Tennessee) for CPT code 42820, or tonsillectomy with adenoids patient age < 12 year old, is only $280.72. As a physician, I am disgusted by his assertion that me or any of my colleagues would compromize their integrity for $280.72. Doctors have office overhead, enormous student loans and let's not forget malpractice insurance. We have sacraficed our lives to take care of people and this is how we are treated in return. It makes me sad and angry.

[Nipponkoku]

You moron. Sore throat doesn't equal tonsillitis.

YOU GET YOUR TONSILS TAKEN OUT FOR RECURRING TONSILLITIS. But no. No no no. This assclown claims you can get them taken out for allergies? THAT borders on medical malpractice. You'd think you'd become a little more informed about actual medicine before you start trying to control the field. t(-.-")t

1... more... year...

[jamz86]

@esa1786 As an auditor, isn't it your job to go into suspicious places like that in the first place? You wouldn't be sent to audit a doctor if he was known to be clean. Also, do you audit HMOs or private practice? Clarify before you go bashing doctors with generalizations. Your particular experience, as an auditor, is necessarily invalid. Statistically, and metaphorically, you haven't walked into "the majority of doctors' offices in this country."

[catndryer]

What are the decisions that politicians based upon????? Do they pass billion dollar bills to get a handful of votes from some special interest???? Sure they do.....they do it every day. They are the biggest crooks anywhere.

[oran6es]

Sorry Barry, doctors do not base medical decisions on a fee schedule. That's a politician's way of thinking. We are devoted to the patient's well being and make decisions based on what is best for the patient. If you can't understand that, you are indeed a great fool. Hurry up 11/2/10. I will enjoy witnessing the backlash. Then maybe, Mr. President, you will get a clue.

[EyeHeartYouREALLY]

he loves to talk about greedy capitalist, I find it more than interesting how easy he forgets about mentioning unethical behavior by the Democrat-contributing trial lawyers who dramatically drive up health care costs through bogus malpractice lawsuits.

[mthivier]

Yes!, trial lawyers own the Democratic party, lock, stock and barrel (and until a year ago, I was a registered Democrat myself, so I think my comments are coming from an objective place). ODumbAss purported to pass a bill that lowered healthcare costs, but the one thing that would actually DO that - tort reform -- was immediately taken off the table, so it became obvious how disingenuous and opportunistic his motives really were.

[mthivier]

Yes!, trial lawyers own the Democratic party, lock, stock and barrel (and until a year ago, I was a registered Democrat myself, so I think my comments are coming from an objective place). ODumbAss purported to pass a bill that lowered healthcare costs, but the one thing that would actually DO that - tort reform -- was immediately taken off the table, so it became obvious how disingenuous and opportunistic his motives really were.

[esa1786]

I am an auditor, and in my personal and business experience, the word greed is found in very doctor office and their mind set to have patient keep coming to visit them to pay their office building lease and commercial investment they do by using greed money!

[JJohn749]

I understand the President’s point- prevention of medical complications is important, but I do not agree with his slander of physicians and the misinformation he gives the American people. I strongly oppose Obamacare because I do not want the government interfering in my relationships with patients. When I look at government run systems (inefficient DMV and Postal Service, mismanaged funds of Social Security), I cannot trust the government to manage something so important as healthcare. Do you?

[JJohn749]

It’s embarrassing that our own President does not have correct information on how the billing in our health care system works. Does he even understand our health care system? If we truly want health care reform, why are we not focusing on tort reform or adjusting malpractice insurance rates? These factors make significant contributions to the cost of health care.

[JJohn749]

Again, my patients come first and I am dedicated to their best interest. I would never perform an unnecessary surgery. Also, the President stated we make $50,000 for an amputation. For an amputation for diabetes, medicare will reimburse $879.21. No surgeon makes $50,000 as the President stated (youtube video: Doctors Choose Amputations because Surgeons Get Paid More). In fact, malpractice insurance can be 50K, sometimes more.

[JJohn749]

These 13 years of my life was dedicated to developing my mind so I could provide the best care possible. So how does our President describe my physician colleagues and I? He states that instead of doing what’s best for the patient, we look at reimbursements to decide patient care. He states we do unnecessary tonsillectomies for a “sore throat” to make money (heard in this youtube video). 

[JJohn749]

As a doctor, I am extremely disappointed by President Obama’s statement that physicians perform unnecessary procedures/surgeries out of greed. My patients come first. When I made the decision to become a physician, I wanted to dedicate my time and life to providing the best and most compassionate care possible. After receiving a bachelors in science (4 years), I went to medical school (4 years) and residency (5 years).

[bacabu30]

@ObamaBiden20082012 It's because you Americans live in an ultra-capitalist shithole. Too many people are either too brainwashed or dumb to see it any differently and the rest are too busy making money and feeding off their 'inferiors'.

[achang34]

@ObamaBiden20082012 How are doctors a major problem of our health care system? In the case of surgeons, how can we penalize them for going through 9 years of post graduate education. Med school debt is around 150k to 200k, and that's not including any undergrad debt that students might have. Ask any surgeon, they will tell you thhat the reimbursement for removing tonsils is not that high, certainly not the 30,000 dollars that obama once stated in a speech.

[fizmath]

I had tonsils removed in the 70s and I almost died from it. A blood vessel in the neck formed a clot and then the vessel burst. It was a common complication that killed hundreds a year and my parents were not warned about it. I was minutes away from death. I would like to perfrom a gonadectomy on some of these butcher surgeons.

[psusarahkate]

ugggh watching this kills me

[grooviedude777]

For what I know...This kind of journalism is....unprofessional...! What Obama is talking about with these examples are to take out the incentives for doctors to do exactly that. Doesn't mean that (all) doctors are evil! It means that in MY country (which thank god is not the USA) there are NO incentives to do that and therefore no profit can be made through a medical decision!

[Drewbiedoo86]

Why are doctors so discriminated against in this administration?

[nyteaparty]

YOU LIE!!!!

[Trill104]

Capitalism eventually leads to Gov. regulating everything, social control(tv doesn't show anything informative anymore), will probably lead to something like a dictatorship. I thought some of Karl Marx ideas were stupid, until this media/technology boom kicked in. It seems as if people are getting dumber by the day, and the people that are the dumbest are celebrated. Maybe communism wasn't a bad idea lol JK!

[kg062007]

obama is a fucking idiot, typical lawyer inferiority bull shit, he doesnt know anything about health care and he doesn't know what hes talking about, im black and im glad i didnt vote for this negro

[SHAMSHAM1090]

doctors who examine your sour throat don't remove your tonsils

[fendergibs]

July 22, 2009, the day of this speech, was the day obama declared he has no idea what he talking about. This is by far the stupidest, most uninformed statement I have ever heard by a president , and yes that includes W.

[yahazif]

This is classic demagoguery. Total bullshit. Obama is a big time liar.

[oran6es]

And how exactly are personal injury decisions made, Mr. President?

[oran6es]

This is a VILE human being. As a surgeon, this is of the utmost insult to any medical professional. Unlike politicians, my decisions are based on WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PATIENT and nothing else. To do otherwise would violate my Hippocratic oath. To perform unnecessary surgery is called criminal assault.

GOVERNMENT REFORM is what we really need. Step 1: eliminate career politicians from office. Eliminate any government or insurance bureaucrat from interfering in the doctor-patient relationship.

[badger5566]

I am a medical student and I could not agree with you more!

[SHAMSHAM1090]

this is why he should stay on his teleprompter

[tien714]

you guys are ignorant. Obama is right. Doctors are here to make money also and they will do whatever it takes to do so. Samething with eye doctors. This is truly sad.

[Sepharite]

Agreed. A lot of these people have been brainwashed by Fox News.

[investology]

no doubt

[Perankhscribe]

You are the one who is ignorant. Maybe eye doctors make a lot of money seeing you because you are so incredibly myopic that it would require much treatment to make you something other than blind.

[bootlegpreacher]

Really? He's accusing doctors of unnecessarily removing body parts from children? This from the guy who puts up a snitch website to squelch misinformation about 'his' (yet to be written) healthcare bill.

[bootlegpreacher]

0:52

I'd rather have that doctor make those decisions PERIOD. Preferably a doctor of my choice paid by me, not the government.

[haroldco1000]

This is a snapshot of how HE THINKS & what HE would do if he were a DR....it's the chicago way...

[hellotommy]

Obamas Solution; regulate medical decision making. The wrong solution. Expose Doctors and patients to the cost of treatment, not regulate it. A tonsillectomy to my understanding is guarded by very clear clinical guidlines. I don't think physician are being incentivised to perform unnecessary surgeries for financial compensation. Primary Care docs, don't do surgery, how can they make money doing surgery? Obama is not being honest, might i say he is flat out..._______.

NAw, he's the chosen 1

[hellotommy]

Obama is saying in this clip, if you go to the doctor with a sore throat the doctor is going to say hmm, I can make more cash if I cut this goon$ tonsils out. That statment is PROOF that Obama is a liar or incompetent. The primary care doctor is not going to get paid to remove tonsils (he doesn't do the surgery), it's a false statement that shows you they want to take away the right of Doctor Patient relationship and give it to Congress.

Obamas Solution; regulate medical decision making

[magicpoliceman]

Wow, really? Doctors have abandoned evidenced based medicine? So if you go to your primary care physician for a cold, they are going to remove a lung? This is the most patently absurd thing out of O-Liars mouth. Barry O-Liar.

[mlcsurgery]

Primary care doctors get paid nothing extra to recommend surgery. In fact, it results in FEWER office visits for them. Their only incentive to recommend surgery is when it is beneficial for the patient. Most surgeons, on the other hand, want no part of unnecessary operations as they can result in complications, unsatisfied patients, and unsatisfied referral doctors. Surgery is expensive because it takes time, entails risk, and requires years of training to be able to do.

[hellotommy]

Bingo!

Obamas Solution; regulate medical decision making. The wrong solution. Expose Doctors and patients to the cost of treatment, not regulate it. A tonsillectomy to my understanding is guarded by very clear clinical guidlines. I don't think physician are being incentivised to perform unnecessary surgeries for financial compensation. Obamas going off the rails on a crazy train... ay ay a y...

DR. Willie Robison Gynecologist to the Hollywood Stars

[memama2]

and ADD ON that Doctors are just dying to amputate =FEET!......lol..........watch YouTube video = .......little girl who saw MEAN SIGNS at Obama Town Hall PLANTED.............(this shows the FAKE Town Hall Meetings this man is "making up"..........and then google the mom - Kathleen Manning Hall = who took down her FaceBook page last night because it showed all the Obama and Clinton peeps and pictures of Obama and MOM together before town hall!!!!....it was all = STAGED)

[ammaroo1975]

The irony here is that having your tonsils out is a PREVENTATIVE measure, the sort of thing that...

...ugh nevermind. Obama is an idiot.

[ruadhrose]

This garbage is proof as to why it is a VERY bad idea to let Obama and the US Government take control of the health care system in this country. I prefer my personal physician and my doctor to be the one to make medical decisions and NOT need some bureacrat politician in DC sticking his two cents in!

[FelixPrismus]

this is just another example of our president's hatred of the beauty of capitalism

[PepperMD2001]

I am not saying that there are no greedy doctors, but the vast majority don't consider the reimbursement when it comes to surgical management. Sadly, the President uses tonsillectomy as an example. In fact, continued under-treatment and medical management of chronic tonsillitis may cost the patient and our medical system more than an effective surgery. It really sounds like he didn't consult anyone in the medical field before using this example but just came up with it on his own. Unwise.

[PepperMD2001]

I am an otolaryngologist. I perform tonsillectomies often. There is a huge amount of research behind why we perform tonsillectomies and the indications for this procedure and the expected outcomes. I am surprised that President Obama would use such a terrible example to illustrate his point. His point, that physicians make decisions based on fee schedules, is a accusation that is preposterous.

[bigkurt25]

dont be too surprised doc. if you watch, listen and read all things obama you begin to pick up on one key thing, the guy cannot stand those who make money. in general, and on top of that people who make good money. there is a clear pattern to this. so what does he do, he systematically turns them all in to boogeymen. insurance companies,doctors,CEOs,oil companies etc...

he's not against doctors..he is against them making good money. despite the fact its an awful lot of work to become one.

[bacabu30]

@bigkurt25 Well, why should doctors make an obscene amount of money? Lots of other people who study for degrees spend as long as doctors at university. Your healthcare in the States is a disgrace. It's only for the very rich and doctors make a huge amount of money. Obama is absolutely right here. The USA could be a great country if it weren't such a capitalist shithole, full of guns and Christian bigot hillbillies.

[mthivier]

@bacabu30 You obviously have no idea what you're talking about.

[bacabu30]

@mthivier That's obviously just your opinion. Difference of political ideology probably.

[bacabu30]

@mthivier Anyway, I don't even want to talk to you.

[mthivier]

@bacabu30 don't worry, very little chance of THAT ever happening!

[bacabu30]

@mthivier Thank God loser.

[bacabu30]

@PepperMD2001 Obviously Obama is speaking on foot of his medical experts. Of course doctors are influenced by fee schedules and money. Healthcare is seldom free from political philosophy. To deny this is simply being naive. He is saying the healthcare industry should be more holistic and be less influenced by money. Healthcare should be a service, not a business.

You can go back to play with your guns now. Douche.

[DemLosers]

@bacabu30: Yah if doctors were as stupid as the regular crowd. Why would people who constantly discuss articles and criticize studies be influenced by garbage Medicare fees anyway. They don't cover the liability, and one day they will get sued really bad throwing their whole career away.

It is a service that is a business. You can't pay stay home. Take care of yourself with your own "great" knowledge. Youre dependent. You just cant stand being a bitch in life.

[bacabu30]

@DemLosers Pardon? Read your post again ask it scarcely makes sense. Keep away from the crack pipe.

I'm dependent? Oh really? Dependent on whom? Do you actually know me?

[DemLosers]

@bacabu30: easy. I can judge you based on your 2 previous comments. You apparently know what influences physicians. You just got dealt the freebie and don't appreciate typical of people living in social welfare. When they actually see what broke means, they'll understand that they are just whining like a b#tch. Go play with your guns? What the F is that? You are totally a liberal whiny loser douche. What did Pepper's post have to do with cowboys? Don't act like you're any better when you leech.

[bacabu30]

@DemLosers I got dealt a 'freebie'? What the hell are you on about? I haven't the foggiest idea what nonsense you're spouting. I don't appreciate people living on social welfare?? Oh really? Since when? And what relevance has that got to do with this video?? Pepper's post has nothing to do with cowboys! Who said it ever did??? I certainly didn't!! Seriously, your posts are INCREDIBLY strange and make very little sense. Also your English isn't up to scratch, so I hope it isn't you first language!

[mloboda]

Very nice,

Our president has accused doctors of not just being greedy but also using fraud and deceit when dealing with patients.

What a piece of shit.

[80sCartoonsRock]

Obama "acted stupidly" in this video

He does this well. He says whatever he has to get the majority of people to agree with him. He makes villains out of a few so that the majority of people will back him. He did it in the election by saying he'll raise taxes on people making over 250k cuz most people dont make over that much and therefore they back him up. He's not doing that for any other reason then to get votes and support.

[splatman123]

Amazing...this guy's resentment and disdain of physicians AND his complete ignorance to the practice of medicine. He has just marginalized the entire police community (by again showing his lack of leadership, biases, and ignorance) and now the entire medical profession. Amazing how non-presidential he can be. 2012 is too long to wait...I say impeach him.

[horizons777]

Obama is a master of setting up "strawman" villians. Peds do not perform tonsillectomies..surgeons do that. How long will the people be fooled by this man. Wall street, bankers, cops, auto companies now the doctors...who is next ?!

[redfisher12002]

what an arrogant and ignorant man is this president

[medboyil]

Sorry, 888LS, but if you are truly a nurse, you demonstrate very little insight into how MDs, like myself, make medical decisions. You are part of the problem in trying to pit MD against the public we are trying to serve. Obama is doing the same thing here in his speech, attempting to dupe the public into believing we're some greed-driven profession who makes decisions based on profit. This could not be further from the truth!

[888LS]

I've seen it for 23 years. You're probably not even a surgeon and have no idea what I'm talking about or even know what your colleagues are up to. It's rampant and idiots like you, who I really don't believe is a MD, know it goes on and look the other way. You're a fool if you have no idea that surgeons around this country perform surgeries because "that's what they do" even though they know a patient will benefit from non-surgical treatments. You are the problem because you're oblivious to it.

[medboyil]

You're right, I'm not a surgeon. I'm a pediatrician, as I already stated above. And let me tell you, I know a heck of a lot more medicine than you ever will. Fortunately I don't work with such arrogant, stupid nurses--but actually some of the best in the country. You do a disservice to your noble profession. The vast majority of patients trust their doctors. The vast majority of doctors have their patients' interest at heart.

[MrLazy27]

@medboyil Not a reason to pretend that problems don't exist. Why don't you pay a visit to Bullhead City, AZ where bad doctors go to hide.

[haroldco1000]

888LS? Our family DR.'s don't perform the surgerys. So are they referring us to surgeons and then getting kick-backs?!

When BO suggests DR.'s are needlessly snatching kids tonsils when it could be asthma is scary. Is this how HE thinks & what he would do if he were a DR.?...maybe its the Chicago way...so lets all move to SS Chicago and see what he accomplished in 20 years there...

[Perankhscribe]

I suspect that you are the farthest thing from a real nurse. Care to debate me? I think I can trounce you and send you packing 888LS.

[medboyil]

des ZERO medical care or benefit for that money, become not-for-profit. Currently, major insurance companies are making BILLIONS and providing ZERO medical service for that money! Can you tolerate this? Can we afford to tolerate this?? The likelihood of REAL reform happening in the face of politicians who are swayed by highly funded LOBBYISTS from the insurance and pharmaceutical industries is next to nil.

[medboyil]

Is he suggesting a pediatrician gets some sort of kickback for referring a child for surgery?? The vast majorities of MDs are extremely ethical and are quite conscious of cost-containment. Obama is completely missing the point. Health care reform requires TORT reform, such that MDs need worry less about practicing defensive (and much more costly) medicine. Health care reform requires that the insurance industry, which currently reaps 20% PROFIT from every health care dollar spent you spend

[medboyil]

Health care most definitely needs reform. But what just came out of this guy's mouth is total idiocy, spoken from someone so out of touch with the reality of medical practice! I am a pediatrician. First off, primary care physicians (like pediatricians) NEVER do tonsillectomies. Surgeons do tonsillectomies and do them when they are medically indicated, NOT based on some "fee schedule" as Obama just here suggested.

[888LS]

Most of you are perfect examples of what the problem is. You don't educate yourselves on what's really going on. Here's a perfect scenario that happens all the time. My kid has repeat ear & throat problems. Pediatrician thinks she needs tonsillectomy & tubes in ears. Because I've been a nurse for a long time I know there are other options. I take my kid to an allergist instead. Find she's allergic to several things. Cut those things out of her diet - no more ear n throat problems.

[888LS]

That's what happens ALL THE TIME. You people put doctors on such a high pedestal, thinking that they are gods who know everything. You know what, let me correct myself, not ALL of them do unnecessary surgeries. But a good many of them do. More than you would like to believe. And it's not really unethical. They do it because it's an option that's available. There may be several non-invasive options but you're in their office and they like to operate.

[NecroVMX]

"that may be the right thing to do....BUT...."

anyone else find that beginning a sentence absolutely horrifying?

[dkkght46]

Let me get this straight....According to Obama, removing tonsils is a crime,

but leaving a baby who survived a botched abortion to die in a closet is OK?

Is this the Hope & Change we voted for?

[ronperk]

Totally clueless!

[Scarlette0hara]

888LS,

That's strange because I have never had a scrub RN or any RN participate in the diagnonozis. It was between me and my doctor so how would the nurse even know if it is necessary or not if she is not party to the whole process. He/she is not the doctor and would not know the whole story.  You are probably some ACORN-HCAN type just making up stories to help the boss out.

[Scarlette0hara]

typo

diagnonozis = diagnosis

[888LS]

Ha ha ha. You people are either very naive or very stupid. Probably the latter. I've been a scrub nurse for 17 years. If you don't know what that means then, yes, you are stupid. I work for the surgeon, not the hospital. I'm there with him every step, coordinating the surgeries, during the procedures, assisting to complete all the documentation afterward. I've worked for Ortho doctors, ENT doctors, General surgeons. They ALL do unnecessary procedures on a regular basis because it's easy money

[marlee51]

No, they don't. Perhaps UNETHICAL ones do, but not "ALL". If I worked (as a nurse) for an UNETHICAL MD, I would leave his employment, and probably also report him to the Medical Board, if I had proof.

If YOU choose to work for an unethical MD--hmmm... I won't go there.

[mpnobi12345]

I know a few scrub nurses that can diagnose people just by looking at them they are amazing. Not even sure we have doctors because of some of these nurses... you must be one.

[deepthreat]

bangitsmom - all you do is throw kitty litter on vomit in the hospital cafeteria, so don't pass yourself off as a medical expert.

[antimarxism]

What the gaffemaster Obama was attempting to say was that doctors, under a rationed-system, will make the same amount of money, regardless of the procedure, regardless of the level of expertise.

Obama is bringing CHANGE, for the worse.

[bangitsmom]

Obviously you dumbasses don't work in the medical industry. I do and doctors absolutely perform many surgical procedures because it makes them money. A large majority of tonsilectomies are unnecessary. Drs are performing hysterectomies for no reason. They'll even do orthopedic surgeries when it isn't necessary. Because it makes them money. The president is actually getting this information from people who know what's going on. You fucking idiots are just clueless.

[xilluminatorx]

Fuck you. So Doctors arent qualified to make medical decisions. And they can only make what the government tells them they can make and can only do procedure when a bureaucrat tells them to. Stupid little bitch, it going to be funny when you die of an easily treatable cancer under government healthcare. I hope it really painful.

[888LS]

You "observe" tonsillectomies? What does that mean, you're a scrub tech who just stands there like a rock and runs to get something when told? I'm a scrub RN who works for the surgeons and they all do unnecessary surgeries. You don't have a clue what you're talking about. Hundreds of tonsillectomies a month? I guarantee half of those are unneeded. Bangitsmom is right - it happens constantly because insurance companies don't ask questions.

[medboyil]

This sort of ignorance is precisely the problem when RNs think they can practice medicine above MDs. Get a life, buddy! Who the hell are you to tell a physician when a surgery is indicated and when it's not?? Do you stand up for what's right (or at least what you believe) then and say something to the surgeon about his or her poor decision to do surgery? If you want to practice medicine, honey, sweat the hours I did in med school, residency, and fellowship!

[carlbbox]

so... our prez thinks that doctors disregard patient care based on profit?

if anything- he's letting us know what he is personally capable of thinking.

("I could run for President and make a TON of money!")

[cornbutter100]

I believe that most people with tonsil problems would prefer the opinion of their family doctor to the opinions of this ideologue president.

[barassodinga]

The medical community, by and large, holds itself to an extremely high standard of ethics.

Here we have a jive politician calling these ethics into question, based on... what? A hypothetical brainfart? Gawd, the irony.

Geez I hope doctors call this jackass out.

[jsm555]

This guy is such a joke

[nyteaparty]

This man is the worst president of my lifetime. What a joke.

[harneyjt]

Maybe you should go to medical school, Barack. Then you could make those decisions based on knowledge and not just your perception (and false assumptions) about the practice of medicine.