Letter to the President
by David V. Clough, MD

Dear President Obama:

Health care reform is necessary for the maintenance of a productive society. Modern medicine has advanced so rapidly during 50 years since I began Family Practice that much of what I learned as a medical student and Resident is out of date and technically non existent. The advances are truly amazing and expensive.

I am a member of PNHP (Physicians for a National Health Program). The cost savings of a single system would easily exceed the expense of covering everyone, lower the administrative cost burden for the practicing physician, while decreasing the National tax payer burden. The current proposals fall short due to their complexity.

In 1963, I opened a private Family Practice. I needed a part-time nurse, and a part time receptionist/billing clerk—Today insurance billing, prior approval, varying and often conflicting rules and reports, require at least four full time employees to support one physician.

Primary Care cannot be forced into 10-15 minute time slots to “improve productivity” without destroying good Doctor-Patient relationships, and most likely produce serious errors of omission. If we were to remove all of the unnecessary paper work, the practice of medicine could again become the best of Professions with superior productivity. Primary care would remain attractive to more doctors, be highly effective and reduce the need for excessive dependency on technology and frequent referrals to specialists.

I urge you to abandon the current health reform proposals and return to consider a uniform system that would save money and produce superior care. Please give serious attention to PNHP, Doctor Flowers, and other supporters. Consider their plan – you said, if you have a better plan let me hear it – over 50% of Doctors, and 60% of the public agree.

Sincerely,
David V. Clough, MD
Gloversville, NY

Copy to Congressmen Paul Tonko and Nancy Pelosi. Senators Max Baucus, Harry Reid, Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.