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| Justice Department declares war on doctors |
| 2010-05-31 |
| As I've long suspected, "health care reform" has emboldened the Justice Department to take a more active role in enforcing government price controls against physicians. Today the Antitrust Division, joined by Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, forced a a group of Boise orthopedists to accept price controls for worker's compensation and HMO contracts as part of a settlement accusing the doctors of "price fixing": According to the complaint, the conspiring orthopedists engaged in two antitrust conspiracies, which took place from 2006 to 2008. In the first conspiracy, through a series of meetings and other communications, the orthopedists agreed not to treat most patients covered by workers' compensation insurance. They entered into a group boycott in order to force the Idaho Industrial Commission to increase the rates at which orthopedists were paid for treating injured workers. The Idaho Industrial Commission sets the fee schedule that determines the amount that orthopedists and other healthcare providers usually receive for treating patients covered by workers' compensation insurance. The boycott resulted in a shortage of orthopedists willing to treat workers' compensation patients, causing higher rates for orthopedic services. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |
| #16 The doctors should have joined the SEIU first. Then, all this "collusion" would not only be perfectly acceptable, it would be rewarded. |
| Posted by: KBK 2010-05-31 20:35 |
| #15 This is interesting: out here in WA state, the number of Drs accepting Medicare is shrinking because of the state's reduction in reimbursment rates. Most are keeping their current patients but not accepting new ones, while a few are retiring. Wonder if this has made the DOJ's radar? |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2010-05-31 20:01 |
| #14 Obama ending the war on Americas enemies. Obama is Starting the War on Productivity. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2010-05-31 20:00 |
| #13 Anybody visited a national cemetery today where Union Civil War veterans are buried? Any rumblings there? |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2010-05-31 18:39 |
| #12 think any doctor that opts out of any insurance plan and runs a cash only business would save tons of money on paperwork and could offer lower rates. My reading of the DOJ action is that opting-out is no longer an option. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2010-05-31 18:38 |
| #11 I think any doctor that opts out of any insurance plan and runs a cash only business would save tons of money on paperwork and could offer lower rates. You could even sell "bundles" of office visits at a even lower discount rate. Until the government forces you to take Bambi-care. In which case it is time to run those fascist bastards out on a rail after a good tar and feathering. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2010-05-31 17:58 |
| #10 Many areas have a shortage of doctors and nurses now, I'm sure Barry and his commie agenda will really help the situation. I think that now even a doctor attempting to retire can be considered an attempt at a boycott. However, the DOJ action can be considered in violation of this: Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2010-05-31 17:54 |
| #9 They will go to states that opt out of the national framework. Everyone else better get used to being treated by Pakistani doctors that can barely understand the most basic english. |
| Posted by: bigjim-CA 2010-05-31 17:27 |
| #8 Marxists love to try to RULE with an iron fist. |
| Posted by: Boss Joluth7350 2010-05-31 17:20 |
| #7 Many areas have a shortage of doctors and nurses now, I'm sure Barry and his commie agenda will really help the situation. This clown is a complete disaster. |
| Posted by: Jefferson 2010-05-31 16:20 |
| #6 I suppose next up will be Death Panels... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2010-05-31 15:09 |
| #5 Price Control has always been a synonym for Shortage or low quality. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2010-05-31 13:34 |
| #4 The nationalisation of American bodies is just beginning. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2010-05-31 13:33 |
| #3 who will treat the people? this isn't about treatment - it's about power. The DOJ doesn't give a rat's ass about Idaho bumpkins, but they are carrying Obama's water for Obamacare |
| Posted by: Frank G 2010-05-31 13:09 |
| #2 And when all the doctors are in jail, who will treat the people? |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2010-05-31 12:47 |
| #1 The template is made, doctors. You will accept the payment the government decides or go to jail. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2010-05-31 11:54 |