California has passed a new regulation which forces family docs in HMOs to see patients who seek an appointment within 10 days....or else! The rule takes effect in January 2011. This is the first time that negotiations between interested parties actually gave any specifics. This may sound like a good idea but just like any other forced fed rules they will cause havoc. Will doctors see less patients in order to make this happen? No. Will they rush through their other appointments so that their schedule looks accessible? Yes. Will they double book more in order to make this happen? Yes. Will this make healthcare better? No.
Doctors don't push back appointments for fun. They make money by seeing patients. They push back appointments because they are overwhelmed. This new rule makes less sense than the 5-second rule for when food is dropped on the ground. A rule, I may add, which I still hold near to my heart. Unless, of course, that piece of food is dropped in a pile of sh&t like, for example, this new California regulation.
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