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Internist Doctors In The Lone Star State Are Facing Challenges, Heres Why

As is the case elsewhere in the country, Internist Medicine in Texas is going through many of the same rough patches as other specializations. Of the 62966 doctors in the Lone Star state, 7713 specialize in Internal Medicine. For many of the 7713 Texas internist doctors the future is uncertain. Of those 7713 physicians, 7369 are M.D.’s and 344 are D.O.’s. While there may be some differences in training, both M.D.’s and D.O.’s are equally accredited and have the ability to become an Internal Medicine doctor. An Internist on average has at least 10-12 years of education including a B.A. (undergraduate) in a healthcare or science related area, a medical doctorate (graduate, Alleopathic or Osteopathic), and an accredited Internal Medicine residency (post-graduate).

Until the recently approved reforms to healthcare are realized, and to the current political shifts and prospective resulting consequences are also, the healthcare industry will be in limbo. The current climate in the industry is very similar to what happened when Hillary Clinton was rallying the push for healthcare reorganization in ‘93. Only when it becomes clear what the future will be, hospitals and physicians are unable and uneasy to make plans for the trying times to come.

The new health care reform, recently signed into law, from Obama claims to:

* makes insurance providers more reasonable by providing the most prominent middle class tax reduction for health care in history, reducing premium
costs for many millions of families and small business owners who are priced out of coverage today. This helps over 31,000,000 Americans afford health care who do not get it today – and makes coverage more within means for many more.
* set up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
* bring greater answerability to health care by laying out appropriate rules of the road to keep the cost of coverage down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care.
* end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing situations.
* put our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years – and about $1 trillion over the second decade – by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.

It is also clear from their presentation that they are anticipating attacks based on price to the American Taxpayer and to the idea that both Social Security and Medicare are at risk, that the change will simply rob Peter to pay Paul. These concerns are addressed upfront: “The Act will protect and preserve Medicare as a commitment to America’s seniors. It will save thousands of dollars in drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by closing the coverage gap called the “donut hole.” Doctors, nurses and hospitals will be incentivized to improve care and reduce unnecessary errors that harm patients,” and further they state: “The financial health of Medicare will improve and guaranteed benefits will be preserved by ending the 14% average overpayment to private insurance companies under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.” So not only are they protecting Medicare, but they are reducing costs, almost a hat trick.

Weak Economy

With the current economic hardship and enormous job losses across the country, these have unswervingly affected the cash flow to doctors and physicians. When jobs are gone, the bereavement of healthcare benefits is unavoidable, and so access to health care is also. However, many doctors are delaying retirement since watching the stock market wipe out their retirement funds. This delay will result in a much smaller number of employment opportunities being offered and residents who are graduating not finding as many existing jobs as before. Residents today seem to prefer not to commit to less pleasing careers, and are choosing locum tenens opportunities. They are also putting off committing to full-time employment because of the scarcity and lower pay scales. So in the forseeable future, it appears there will be a deficit of good job opportunities available.

Demographics: TX and USA

In the United States, the population of 65+ is going to double by 2035 and will reach its peak being almost one fifth of United States population. In Texas alone, 62.2% of the inhabitants are between 18 and 65. That accounts for about 15 million more people who will have passed the retirement age in 45 years. There are currently less than three, some studies show less than two, million individuals over the age of 65 to date. At the current rate of population growth for the state, that is a very steep and sudden climb for any demographic. Even though older citizens are healthier than previous generations, the numbers of disabled and chronic condition sufferers are on the rise. So the demand for health care will rise for the next 25 years and beyond. This is the driving force behind the constant growth for demand of physicians, which may result in shortages of available medical services.

Aging is also directing the supply of physicians. Up to 1/3rd of the current six hundred and fifty thousand practicing physicians will be considering retiring by the year 2020. The Lone Star state will be left with less than 30,000 of todays physicians to care for over 30 million people. A shortage of primary care physicians, such as Internal Medicine physicians, is a unique concern due to this, and also the selection of younger healthcare providers to choose to further specialize. The reason behind this is that further specialization beyond general care is needed for higher salaries to pay for their expensive education. The shortage is expected to hit rural and underserved locations the hardest.

Even with the health bill finally signed into law its effect on our health care is not known. By 2014 their will be an increase in the enrollment into health care insurance programs. This increase when, combined with the long term aging of the inhabitants, should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to reimbursement rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of reimbursement rates for different specialties by Medicare and this new program that may conversely become a decreasing factor of the income of all specialties, including Internal Medicine.

Clearly the Obama administration has its arms full. We are becoming older and there are fewer young people to carry this mounting financial task. The Sins of the Fathers…..

Tags: Challenges, Doctors, Facing, Here's, Internist, Lone, Star, State

Internist Doctors In The Lone Star State Are Facing Challenges, Heres Why

As is the case elsewhere in the country, Internist Medicine in Texas is going through many of the same rough patches as other specializations. Of the 62966 doctors in the Lone Star state, 7713 specialize in Internal Medicine. For many of the 7713 Texas internist doctors the future is uncertain. Of those 7713 physicians, 7369 are M.D.’s and 344 are D.O.’s. While there may be some differences in training, both M.D.’s and D.O.’s are equally accredited and have the ability to become an Internal Medicine doctor. An Internist on average has at least 10-12 years of education including a B.A. (undergraduate) in a healthcare or science related area, a medical doctorate (graduate, Alleopathic or Osteopathic), and an accredited Internal Medicine residency (post-graduate).

Until the recently approved reforms to healthcare are realized, and to the current political shifts and prospective resulting consequences are also, the healthcare industry will be in limbo. The current climate in the industry is very similar to what happened when Hillary Clinton was rallying the push for healthcare reorganization in ‘93. Only when it becomes clear what the future will be, hospitals and physicians are unable and uneasy to make plans for the trying times to come.

The new health care reform, recently signed into law, from Obama claims to:

* makes insurance providers more reasonable by providing the most prominent middle class tax reduction for health care in history, reducing premium
costs for many millions of families and small business owners who are priced out of coverage today. This helps over 31,000,000 Americans afford health care who do not get it today – and makes coverage more within means for many more.
* set up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
* bring greater answerability to health care by laying out appropriate rules of the road to keep the cost of coverage down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care.
* end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing situations.
* put our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years – and about $1 trillion over the second decade – by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.

It is also clear from their presentation that they are anticipating attacks based on price to the American Taxpayer and to the idea that both Social Security and Medicare are at risk, that the change will simply rob Peter to pay Paul. These concerns are addressed upfront: “The Act will protect and preserve Medicare as a commitment to America’s seniors. It will save thousands of dollars in drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by closing the coverage gap called the “donut hole.” Doctors, nurses and hospitals will be incentivized to improve care and reduce unnecessary errors that harm patients,” and further they state: “The financial health of Medicare will improve and guaranteed benefits will be preserved by ending the 14% average overpayment to private insurance companies under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.” So not only are they protecting Medicare, but they are reducing costs, almost a hat trick.

Weak Economy

With the current economic hardship and enormous job losses across the country, these have unswervingly affected the cash flow to doctors and physicians. When jobs are gone, the bereavement of healthcare benefits is unavoidable, and so access to health care is also. However, many doctors are delaying retirement since watching the stock market wipe out their retirement funds. This delay will result in a much smaller number of employment opportunities being offered and residents who are graduating not finding as many existing jobs as before. Residents today seem to prefer not to commit to less pleasing careers, and are choosing locum tenens opportunities. They are also putting off committing to full-time employment because of the scarcity and lower pay scales. So in the forseeable future, it appears there will be a deficit of good job opportunities available.

Demographics: TX and USA

In the United States, the population of 65+ is going to double by 2035 and will reach its peak being almost one fifth of United States population. In Texas alone, 62.2% of the inhabitants are between 18 and 65. That accounts for about 15 million more people who will have passed the retirement age in 45 years. There are currently less than three, some studies show less than two, million individuals over the age of 65 to date. At the current rate of population growth for the state, that is a very steep and sudden climb for any demographic. Even though older citizens are healthier than previous generations, the numbers of disabled and chronic condition sufferers are on the rise. So the demand for health care will rise for the next 25 years and beyond. This is the driving force behind the constant growth for demand of physicians, which may result in shortages of available medical services.

Aging is also directing the supply of physicians. Up to 1/3rd of the current six hundred and fifty thousand practicing physicians will be considering retiring by the year 2020. The Lone Star state will be left with less than 30,000 of todays physicians to care for over 30 million people. A shortage of primary care physicians, such as Internal Medicine physicians, is a unique concern due to this, and also the selection of younger healthcare providers to choose to further specialize. The reason behind this is that further specialization beyond general care is needed for higher salaries to pay for their expensive education. The shortage is expected to hit rural and underserved locations the hardest.

Even with the health bill finally signed into law its effect on our health care is not known. By 2014 their will be an increase in the enrollment into health care insurance programs. This increase when, combined with the long term aging of the inhabitants, should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to reimbursement rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of reimbursement rates for different specialties by Medicare and this new program that may conversely become a decreasing factor of the income of all specialties, including Internal Medicine.

Clearly the Obama administration has its arms full. We are becoming older and there are fewer young people to carry this mounting financial task. The Sins of the Fathers…..

Tags: Challenges, Doctors, Facing, Here's, Internist, Lone, Star, State

Internist Doctors In The Lone Star State Are Facing Challenges, Heres Why

As is the case elsewhere in the country, Internist Medicine in Texas is going through many of the same rough patches as other specializations. Of the 62966 doctors in the Lone Star state, 7713 specialize in Internal Medicine. For many of the 7713 Texas internist doctors the future is uncertain. Of those 7713 physicians, 7369 are M.D.’s and 344 are D.O.’s. While there may be some differences in training, both M.D.’s and D.O.’s are equally accredited and have the ability to become an Internal Medicine doctor. An Internist on average has at least 10-12 years of education including a B.A. (undergraduate) in a healthcare or science related area, a medical doctorate (graduate, Alleopathic or Osteopathic), and an accredited Internal Medicine residency (post-graduate).

Until the recently approved reforms to healthcare are realized, and to the current political shifts and prospective resulting consequences are also, the healthcare industry will be in limbo. The current climate in the industry is very similar to what happened when Hillary Clinton was rallying the push for healthcare reorganization in ‘93. Only when it becomes clear what the future will be, hospitals and physicians are unable and uneasy to make plans for the trying times to come.

The new health care reform, recently signed into law, from Obama claims to:

* makes insurance providers more reasonable by providing the most prominent middle class tax reduction for health care in history, reducing premium
costs for many millions of families and small business owners who are priced out of coverage today. This helps over 31,000,000 Americans afford health care who do not get it today – and makes coverage more within means for many more.
* set up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
* bring greater answerability to health care by laying out appropriate rules of the road to keep the cost of coverage down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care.
* end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing situations.
* put our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years – and about $1 trillion over the second decade – by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.

It is also clear from their presentation that they are anticipating attacks based on price to the American Taxpayer and to the idea that both Social Security and Medicare are at risk, that the change will simply rob Peter to pay Paul. These concerns are addressed upfront: “The Act will protect and preserve Medicare as a commitment to America’s seniors. It will save thousands of dollars in drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by closing the coverage gap called the “donut hole.” Doctors, nurses and hospitals will be incentivized to improve care and reduce unnecessary errors that harm patients,” and further they state: “The financial health of Medicare will improve and guaranteed benefits will be preserved by ending the 14% average overpayment to private insurance companies under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.” So not only are they protecting Medicare, but they are reducing costs, almost a hat trick.

Weak Economy

With the current economic hardship and enormous job losses across the country, these have unswervingly affected the cash flow to doctors and physicians. When jobs are gone, the bereavement of healthcare benefits is unavoidable, and so access to health care is also. However, many doctors are delaying retirement since watching the stock market wipe out their retirement funds. This delay will result in a much smaller number of employment opportunities being offered and residents who are graduating not finding as many existing jobs as before. Residents today seem to prefer not to commit to less pleasing careers, and are choosing locum tenens opportunities. They are also putting off committing to full-time employment because of the scarcity and lower pay scales. So in the forseeable future, it appears there will be a deficit of good job opportunities available.

Demographics: TX and USA

In the United States, the population of 65+ is going to double by 2035 and will reach its peak being almost one fifth of United States population. In Texas alone, 62.2% of the inhabitants are between 18 and 65. That accounts for about 15 million more people who will have passed the retirement age in 45 years. There are currently less than three, some studies show less than two, million individuals over the age of 65 to date. At the current rate of population growth for the state, that is a very steep and sudden climb for any demographic. Even though older citizens are healthier than previous generations, the numbers of disabled and chronic condition sufferers are on the rise. So the demand for health care will rise for the next 25 years and beyond. This is the driving force behind the constant growth for demand of physicians, which may result in shortages of available medical services.

Aging is also directing the supply of physicians. Up to 1/3rd of the current six hundred and fifty thousand practicing physicians will be considering retiring by the year 2020. The Lone Star state will be left with less than 30,000 of todays physicians to care for over 30 million people. A shortage of primary care physicians, such as Internal Medicine physicians, is a unique concern due to this, and also the selection of younger healthcare providers to choose to further specialize. The reason behind this is that further specialization beyond general care is needed for higher salaries to pay for their expensive education. The shortage is expected to hit rural and underserved locations the hardest.

Even with the health bill finally signed into law its effect on our health care is not known. By 2014 their will be an increase in the enrollment into health care insurance programs. This increase when, combined with the long term aging of the inhabitants, should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to reimbursement rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of reimbursement rates for different specialties by Medicare and this new program that may conversely become a decreasing factor of the income of all specialties, including Internal Medicine.

Clearly the Obama administration has its arms full. We are becoming older and there are fewer young people to carry this mounting financial task. The Sins of the Fathers…..

Tags: Challenges, Doctors, Facing, Here's, Internist, Lone, Star, State

Internist Doctors In The Lone Star State Are Facing Challenges, Heres Why

As is the case elsewhere in the country, Internist Medicine in Texas is going through many of the same rough patches as other specializations. Of the 62966 doctors in the Lone Star state, 7713 specialize in Internal Medicine. For many of the 7713 Texas internist doctors the future is uncertain. Of those 7713 physicians, 7369 are M.D.’s and 344 are D.O.’s. While there may be some differences in training, both M.D.’s and D.O.’s are equally accredited and have the ability to become an Internal Medicine doctor. An Internist on average has at least 10-12 years of education including a B.A. (undergraduate) in a healthcare or science related area, a medical doctorate (graduate, Alleopathic or Osteopathic), and an accredited Internal Medicine residency (post-graduate).

Until the recently approved reforms to healthcare are realized, and to the current political shifts and prospective resulting consequences are also, the healthcare industry will be in limbo. The current climate in the industry is very similar to what happened when Hillary Clinton was rallying the push for healthcare reorganization in ‘93. Only when it becomes clear what the future will be, hospitals and physicians are unable and uneasy to make plans for the trying times to come.

The new health care reform, recently signed into law, from Obama claims to:

* makes insurance providers more reasonable by providing the most prominent middle class tax reduction for health care in history, reducing premium
costs for many millions of families and small business owners who are priced out of coverage today. This helps over 31,000,000 Americans afford health care who do not get it today – and makes coverage more within means for many more.
* set up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
* bring greater answerability to health care by laying out appropriate rules of the road to keep the cost of coverage down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care.
* end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing situations.
* put our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years – and about $1 trillion over the second decade – by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.

It is also clear from their presentation that they are anticipating attacks based on price to the American Taxpayer and to the idea that both Social Security and Medicare are at risk, that the change will simply rob Peter to pay Paul. These concerns are addressed upfront: “The Act will protect and preserve Medicare as a commitment to America’s seniors. It will save thousands of dollars in drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by closing the coverage gap called the “donut hole.” Doctors, nurses and hospitals will be incentivized to improve care and reduce unnecessary errors that harm patients,” and further they state: “The financial health of Medicare will improve and guaranteed benefits will be preserved by ending the 14% average overpayment to private insurance companies under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.” So not only are they protecting Medicare, but they are reducing costs, almost a hat trick.

Weak Economy

With the current economic hardship and enormous job losses across the country, these have unswervingly affected the cash flow to doctors and physicians. When jobs are gone, the bereavement of healthcare benefits is unavoidable, and so access to health care is also. However, many doctors are delaying retirement since watching the stock market wipe out their retirement funds. This delay will result in a much smaller number of employment opportunities being offered and residents who are graduating not finding as many existing jobs as before. Residents today seem to prefer not to commit to less pleasing careers, and are choosing locum tenens opportunities. They are also putting off committing to full-time employment because of the scarcity and lower pay scales. So in the forseeable future, it appears there will be a deficit of good job opportunities available.

Demographics: TX and USA

In the United States, the population of 65+ is going to double by 2035 and will reach its peak being almost one fifth of United States population. In Texas alone, 62.2% of the inhabitants are between 18 and 65. That accounts for about 15 million more people who will have passed the retirement age in 45 years. There are currently less than three, some studies show less than two, million individuals over the age of 65 to date. At the current rate of population growth for the state, that is a very steep and sudden climb for any demographic. Even though older citizens are healthier than previous generations, the numbers of disabled and chronic condition sufferers are on the rise. So the demand for health care will rise for the next 25 years and beyond. This is the driving force behind the constant growth for demand of physicians, which may result in shortages of available medical services.

Aging is also directing the supply of physicians. Up to 1/3rd of the current six hundred and fifty thousand practicing physicians will be considering retiring by the year 2020. The Lone Star state will be left with less than 30,000 of todays physicians to care for over 30 million people. A shortage of primary care physicians, such as Internal Medicine physicians, is a unique concern due to this, and also the selection of younger healthcare providers to choose to further specialize. The reason behind this is that further specialization beyond general care is needed for higher salaries to pay for their expensive education. The shortage is expected to hit rural and underserved locations the hardest.

Even with the health bill finally signed into law its effect on our health care is not known. By 2014 their will be an increase in the enrollment into health care insurance programs. This increase when, combined with the long term aging of the inhabitants, should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to reimbursement rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of reimbursement rates for different specialties by Medicare and this new program that may conversely become a decreasing factor of the income of all specialties, including Internal Medicine.

Clearly the Obama administration has its arms full. We are becoming older and there are fewer young people to carry this mounting financial task. The Sins of the Fathers…..

Tags: Challenges, Doctors, Facing, Here's, Internist, Lone, Star, State

What are the real challenges of the new SAT?

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is one of the most widely-taken admission tests in America. The SAT evidently has become synonymous to the college application process. Moreover, it is considered to be one of the most accurate evaluating indicators of applicants’ college success.

The SAT gained amazing popularity among educational institutions, which are more likely to accept the SAT, rather than any other college testing programs.

Whereas, for students the SAT is the most important test they have to take in their life. Thus, when the matter concerns college admissions and awarding scholarship, no exam is more crucial and responsible.

That’s why, the recent innovation, introduced by the College Board, which administers the SAT, became the most controversial and nerve-racking focal point for college-bound students. Indeed, it wasn’t the bolt from the blue, because educators and learners have been waiting for some changes to come since June 2002, when the College Board announced a series of changes to the SAT that were implemented only in March 2005.

New SAT – New Challenges

The new SAT Reasoning Test was taken equivocally, to some extent, because of its complexity.

The new SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes long, and scored on a 600-2400 scale. Besides, adding the questions from the algebra-II to math section, and changing verbal analogies and quantitative comparisons into critical reading. The SAT introduced the drastic change, which became a real challenge for the majority of high school students. For the first time it will require students to compose a timed essay.

The 25-minute essay, asking a “philosophical” questions, aims at evaluating how well students can communicate on paper and support their point of view. This section will produce a separate score on the 200-800 scale, where the essay will count only for 30 percent of the writing score, with 49 multiple-choice grammar questions. The multiple questions will ask students to identify errors, and to improve the sentences and paragraphs.

On the one hand, this sweeping change in the approach to assessment students’ writing skills is well-grounded by the employers’ demand in people with good research, organizational and referencing writing skills. It is not a secret for anyone that nowadays good writing skills are not a privilege of the writers, but an essential skill for the many. Hence, writing extends beyond the walls of the education system into students’ later life.

Gaston Carper, the new ambitious head of the College Board, claimed in response to numerous questions as per the reason of this vital alteration, “We were hearing from schools across the country, from employers all across the country: Young people are getting out of college not able to write, entering college, where writing is much more in demand.”

Thus, on the other hand this novelty put a new heavy burden on kids, who have to place more emphasize on their writing skills. Moreover, parents of some high school students cannot afford to pay for expensive preparation classes. Hence, students, having some difficulties with writing, are deprived of the opportunity to cope with the test successfully, therefore, to receive college education. It can be interpreted as discrimination for those, who cannot set out their thoughts coherently and articulately on paper, thus, are pretty good at math, and can come through critical reading with flying colors.

One more challenge for the students to face is critical reading. This is the new name for what is used to be called the verbal portion of the test, but there will be some changes. The vocabulary is de-emphasized with the end of analogies, and comprehension questions are introduced on shorter passages, or pairs of short passages, besides the traditional longer ones.

Some words are to be said about the alterations, introduced to the math section. There is a handful of high-level algebra II questions, where the special accent is made on graphs and interpreting visual data. Apparently, it won’t be a piece of the cake for anyone.

“Overall, the changes have brought praise from some, who say the new test is more relevant to what students need to know for college. But there are also concerns they will more negatively affect students from weaker schools, and that the essay makes this test more cashable.”

Meanwhile, the changes to the SAT “go through a special lens of evaluation”, and really create much confusion. Students will have to make additional preparation, beyond the regular course work, seeking for preparation courses, which offer tutoring on weak subjects, provide an opportunity to take practice tests, and emphasize the fundamentals of good essay writing.

About the author:

Linda Correli is a staff writer of http://www.CustomResearchPapers.us/ and an author of the popular online tutorial for students “What Teachers Want: Master the Art of Essay Writing in 10 Days”, available at http://www.Go2Essay.com/

Tags: Challenges, Real

Internist Doctors In The Lone Star State Are Facing Challenges, Heres Why

As is the case elsewhere in the country, Internist Medicine in Texas is going through many of the same rough patches as other specializations. Of the 62966 doctors in the Lone Star state, 7713 specialize in Internal Medicine. For many of the 7713 Texas internist doctors the future is uncertain. Of those 7713 physicians, 7369 are M.D.’s and 344 are D.O.’s. While there may be some differences in training, both M.D.’s and D.O.’s are equally accredited and have the ability to become an Internal Medicine doctor. An Internist on average has at least 10-12 years of education including a B.A. (undergraduate) in a healthcare or science related area, a medical doctorate (graduate, Alleopathic or Osteopathic), and an accredited Internal Medicine residency (post-graduate).

Until the recently approved reforms to healthcare are realized, and to the current political shifts and prospective resulting consequences are also, the healthcare industry will be in limbo. The current climate in the industry is very similar to what happened when Hillary Clinton was rallying the push for healthcare reorganization in ‘93. Only when it becomes clear what the future will be, hospitals and physicians are unable and uneasy to make plans for the trying times to come.

The new health care reform, recently signed into law, from Obama claims to:

* makes insurance providers more reasonable by providing the most prominent middle class tax reduction for health care in history, reducing premium
costs for many millions of families and small business owners who are priced out of coverage today. This helps over 31,000,000 Americans afford health care who do not get it today – and makes coverage more within means for many more.
* set up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
* bring greater answerability to health care by laying out appropriate rules of the road to keep the cost of coverage down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care.
* end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing situations.
* put our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years – and about $1 trillion over the second decade – by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.

It is also clear from their presentation that they are anticipating attacks based on price to the American Taxpayer and to the idea that both Social Security and Medicare are at risk, that the change will simply rob Peter to pay Paul. These concerns are addressed upfront: “The Act will protect and preserve Medicare as a commitment to America’s seniors. It will save thousands of dollars in drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by closing the coverage gap called the “donut hole.” Doctors, nurses and hospitals will be incentivized to improve care and reduce unnecessary errors that harm patients,” and further they state: “The financial health of Medicare will improve and guaranteed benefits will be preserved by ending the 14% average overpayment to private insurance companies under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.” So not only are they protecting Medicare, but they are reducing costs, almost a hat trick.

Weak Economy

With the current economic hardship and enormous job losses across the country, these have unswervingly affected the cash flow to doctors and physicians. When jobs are gone, the bereavement of healthcare benefits is unavoidable, and so access to health care is also. However, many doctors are delaying retirement since watching the stock market wipe out their retirement funds. This delay will result in a much smaller number of employment opportunities being offered and residents who are graduating not finding as many existing jobs as before. Residents today seem to prefer not to commit to less pleasing careers, and are choosing locum tenens opportunities. They are also putting off committing to full-time employment because of the scarcity and lower pay scales. So in the forseeable future, it appears there will be a deficit of good job opportunities available.

Demographics: TX and USA

In the United States, the population of 65+ is going to double by 2035 and will reach its peak being almost one fifth of United States population. In Texas alone, 62.2% of the inhabitants are between 18 and 65. That accounts for about 15 million more people who will have passed the retirement age in 45 years. There are currently less than three, some studies show less than two, million individuals over the age of 65 to date. At the current rate of population growth for the state, that is a very steep and sudden climb for any demographic. Even though older citizens are healthier than previous generations, the numbers of disabled and chronic condition sufferers are on the rise. So the demand for health care will rise for the next 25 years and beyond. This is the driving force behind the constant growth for demand of physicians, which may result in shortages of available medical services.

Aging is also directing the supply of physicians. Up to 1/3rd of the current six hundred and fifty thousand practicing physicians will be considering retiring by the year 2020. The Lone Star state will be left with less than 30,000 of todays physicians to care for over 30 million people. A shortage of primary care physicians, such as Internal Medicine physicians, is a unique concern due to this, and also the selection of younger healthcare providers to choose to further specialize. The reason behind this is that further specialization beyond general care is needed for higher salaries to pay for their expensive education. The shortage is expected to hit rural and underserved locations the hardest.

Even with the health bill finally signed into law its effect on our health care is not known. By 2014 their will be an increase in the enrollment into health care insurance programs. This increase when, combined with the long term aging of the inhabitants, should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to reimbursement rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of reimbursement rates for different specialties by Medicare and this new program that may conversely become a decreasing factor of the income of all specialties, including Internal Medicine.

Clearly the Obama administration has its arms full. We are becoming older and there are fewer young people to carry this mounting financial task. The Sins of the Fathers…..

Tags: Challenges, Doctors, Facing, Here's, Internist, Lone, Star, State

Major challenges ahead for aviation industry

Turbulence in aviation industry due to unrelenting increase in oil price is a matter of deep concern for all airlines. Indian carriers which were until recently in a robust mood are now feeling the heat. Country’s aviation industry got the fillip with the opening up of sky by the Government in 90s. Everyone talked about India’s high-paced economy and subsequent growth for the aviation industry. All major worldwide studies predict India and China to be driving forces behind the aviation growth in coming decades.

The question today arises weather the Indian aviation industry which is still in a nascent stage can survive the heat. Most, if not all airlines in the country have reported losses not just for the third and fourth quarters, but the whole of 2007-08. And this is not any different for other airlines worldwide. So, how should the industry respond to the situation? For the time being, most airlines have resorted to cutting routes, issuing e-tickets and charging for items such as snacks and checked-in luggage to cut their losses. Some, however, have also hiked fuel surcharges to offset high ATF rates. There are a few who are even considering selling their stake. But is this the solution when the ATF prices have doubled over the last year and now form almost 80 per cent of overall operating costs and almost three-fourths of a budget airline’s ticket fare?

The industry has tough challenges ahead. Not only it has to survive the current turbulence but also it has to maintain the growth to keep the momentum going. Another challenge would be to counter green house gas emission by aircraft. Environment studies warn that emissions from aircraft are rising dramatically, with the prediction saying it will be more than double over the next 20 years. It says China and India are behind the global boom in aviation and suggests Governments should step in to tax aviation.

Aircraft manufacturing major Airbus and Boeing are working alongside engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and airlines to pursue development of sustainable bio-fuels. They are constantly redesigning and re-engineering aircraft, developing lighter composite materials, more aerodynamic designs and more efficient engines. Every new generation of aircraft is more efficient, with a greater reduction in fuel-burn and emissions.

Industry’s more emphasis should be on improving the efficiency of engines in order to reduce fuel burn. It should invest more on new technology and exploration of alternative fuel sources. It needs to come up with some sort of solutions in that area. But it’s still very much early stages. Within the next few years, commercial use of alternative fuel sources is a possibility. It’s not a dream. It’s a necessity. It’s something that the industry, and all those associated with the industry, will have to come to grip with. Major challenges are ahead for the aviation industry.

Tags: Ahead, Aviation, Challenges, Industry, Major