This is in response to Kenneth Maness’ letter in Tuesday’s Alligator asserting that “doctors are the real problem with health care in America.” His broadside contributes nothing to the serious debate about American health care reform. Further, he demonstrates the epitome of ignorance about a health care system that involves countless parties: doctors, patients, insurance carriers, malpractice attorneys and dozens of state and federal government agencies, each of whom contribute to how health care is provided and consumed in America and each of whom impact the cost of that care.
Maness and others might be interested to know that physicians’ services account for only 21 percent of U.S. health costs, and a primary driver of reimbursement rates is determined by whatever Medicare agrees to pay for a certain level of care. Enough vitriol exists in debating American health care reform without the need for baseless attacks.
