I am sure by now you have heard about the urologist in Florida who posted a sign on his door in response to the new healthcare law signed by President Obama. The sign reads, “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years." To me, the behavior of this doctor, Jack Cassell, is awful.
I have always felt that physicians, clergy, and lawyers have been given a special place in society because they deal with people when they are at their most vulnerable periods in life. It is truly outrageous to use that elevated position to promote a political agenda using your patients as pawns.
Cassell has said in published reports that he is concerned about elements of the new law that he believes will impact his ability to care for patients. You can read more about his comments by clicking here. I think he is fully entitled to his opinion, but the way he went about it is wrong.
Did patients pass this reform? No. If this doctor is so upset with Obama, do you think he will forgo taking Medicare or Medicaid patients? After all, those are government programs too. I doubt that would be the case. But you see, you can’t have it both ways.
Dr. Cassell says he is not really turning people away, but if they choose to walk away on their own that is fine. Really? Are you kidding me? So you claim to be upset that you won’t be able to somehow care for patients and then you put a sign up to essentially create that scenario on your own? Absurd.
This is the time that doctors and healthcare leaders are being looked to for suggestions and to test pilot programs that will improve the system as a whole. Those types of contributions will be productive, this behavior is not.
Political opinions should never interfere with a patient’s rights or the Hippocratic Oath. Fight all you want, but leave your patients out of it and don’t use them as pawns.
Let us know what you think. Post your comments below.
Kester Freeman blogs regularly at Action for Better Healthcare.