Pediatricians: Big Pharma's Puppets
I've been reading more about vaccinations. Apparently this business of pediatricians scolding their patients, making them sign legal documents, and even refusing to continue treating them is VERY common. I've been hearing it more and more.
What is this all about? Why are doctors so concerned?
I mean, OK I can understand them getting a little concerned. Like if a pregnant mom smokes or drinks vodka. Doctors wouldn't make that mother sign legal papers and stop treating her, would they? I mean, they'd try to help her change her ways, try to teach her -- but would they *stop treating her*? I don't think so.
There has to be something else at work here.
Could it be... money? Financial incentives? From the pharmaceutical companies?
You think?
I'm finding more and more evidence that medical practices are paid by insurance companies for the number of children they immunize. They are called "pay-for-performance" programs.
http://www.la-kidmed.com/communitycare/immpfp.html
http://www.naph.org/naph/policyimmu.pdf
Ah, yes... here it is!
http://www.himss.org/content/files/PayForPerformance.pdf
It lists a program in California called IHA -- Integrated Healthcare Association.
They pay practices up to $150 million per year based on meeting certain criteria: patient satisfaction, treatment of chronic conditions, and oh, yes, vaccinations.
No wonder these doctors get so pissed off when you don't want to vaccinate. You're messing with their percentages! They want their bonuses.
I just got an email from a friend -- a fellow mom in our neighborhood. She was talking about a pediatrician in LA -- one of the FEW who is OK with parents in his practice not vaccinating their children.
My friend wrote about the pediatrician in her email:
"He talks about the drug companies and he has a policy that nobody in the office is allowed to go to lunch, or take any perks from the drug companies. He said this is a problem in other offices."
Interestingly this doctor does not accept insurance. It's $200 per well baby visit.
Gee, think there's a connection?
And yeah, we're going to switch pediatricians. I don't care if we have to pay $200/visit. I'll pay. It's worth it.
What is this all about? Why are doctors so concerned?
I mean, OK I can understand them getting a little concerned. Like if a pregnant mom smokes or drinks vodka. Doctors wouldn't make that mother sign legal papers and stop treating her, would they? I mean, they'd try to help her change her ways, try to teach her -- but would they *stop treating her*? I don't think so.
There has to be something else at work here.
Could it be... money? Financial incentives? From the pharmaceutical companies?
You think?
I'm finding more and more evidence that medical practices are paid by insurance companies for the number of children they immunize. They are called "pay-for-performance" programs.
http://www.la-kidmed.com/communitycare/immpfp.html
http://www.naph.org/naph/policyimmu.pdf
Ah, yes... here it is!
http://www.himss.org/content/files/PayForPerformance.pdf
It lists a program in California called IHA -- Integrated Healthcare Association.
They pay practices up to $150 million per year based on meeting certain criteria: patient satisfaction, treatment of chronic conditions, and oh, yes, vaccinations.
No wonder these doctors get so pissed off when you don't want to vaccinate. You're messing with their percentages! They want their bonuses.
I just got an email from a friend -- a fellow mom in our neighborhood. She was talking about a pediatrician in LA -- one of the FEW who is OK with parents in his practice not vaccinating their children.
My friend wrote about the pediatrician in her email:
"He talks about the drug companies and he has a policy that nobody in the office is allowed to go to lunch, or take any perks from the drug companies. He said this is a problem in other offices."
Interestingly this doctor does not accept insurance. It's $200 per well baby visit.
Gee, think there's a connection?
And yeah, we're going to switch pediatricians. I don't care if we have to pay $200/visit. I'll pay. It's worth it.