I first started working in the medical field as a medical insurance biller in physicians' offices. Doing so, I noticed that the executives would increase rates when the bill was sent to an insurance carrier. According to Toenjes, "Physicians are contemplating unionization and strikes to force business values to submit to care values". (119). .
The problem with healthcare is the disagreement between business and healthcare. Payers operate for profit and could care less about the quality of patient care. The professional commitments that healthcare professionals take should be in the best interest of the patients' quality of care. .
But, the United States claims, it's a financial impracticality to insure medical care for everyone who needs it. And will not resolve the issue by utilizing an open market or by allowing only those who can afford medical care to receive it. Toenjes states that, "Payers also feel besieged by providers and patients who disregard financial accountability in their judgments and behavior" (120).
Doctors' beliefs are interfering with treatment that is best for the patient. It is imperative that your physician has the same or similar beliefs that you have. Otherwise, you could be compromising your medical care. Issues could arise regarding the affordability, advance directives, euthanasia; organ donations, or new drugs that haven't been approved by the FDA to date. They do have clinical trials (new investigational drugs), but does your physician prescribe investigational drugs? .
Several moral issues should be addressed with the potential physician before establishing yourself as his/her patient. You must be aware of the physician's beliefs. After being raped when in your child bearing years and you decide to abort the pregnancy, does your physician believe in abortions? If not then should you seek another physician that shares your values? Because the physician's religious beliefs or morality could result in him refusing to perform an abortion, which is emotionally necessary and the right choice for the patient.
