From CNN:

The issue here is not just “why” but “so what”: and the so-what question is that if our national healthcare system kicks in we will need more doctors not fewer, and if many are already running into deficits … well, this isn’t good.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Doctors in America are harboring an embarrassing secret: Many of them are going broke.

This quiet reality, which is spreading nationwide, is claiming a wide range of casualties, including family physicians, cardiologists and oncologists.

Industry watchers say the trend is worrisome. Half of all doctors in the nation operate a private practice. So if a cash crunch forces the death of an independent practice, it robs a community of a vital health care resource.

“A lot of independent practices are starting to see serious financial issues,” said Marc Lion, CEO of Lion & Company CPAs, LLC, which advises independent doctor practices about their finances.

Doctors list shrinking insurance reimbursements, changing regulations, rising business and drug costs among the factors preventing them from keeping their practices afloat. But some experts counter that doctors’ lack of business acumen is also to blame.

 

 

For those who don’t know, “T” is a first name of a regular reader, commenter and writer for this blog. Here is the 4th in his series on pacifism.

We’re continuing our discussion of some of the New Testament’s most central themes, attempting to lay a proper, Christological foundation for discussing issues of how Christ’s followers are to deal with violent people. You can see the prior posts and the posts that triggered them here. Today I want to consider the issue, from a Christologically rooted perspective, of how good triumphs over evil. This “lens” for the discussion could be called “story” or “plot” or even “strategy.” Every epic story is a story of good vs. evil, and the Story of God’s activity in and for the world is no exception. The question is how does God plan to defeat evil according to what he reveals and does in Christ.

Unlike our previous posts, today I want to discuss not only the typical civilian Christian, but the full range of God’s strategies for dealing with evil people. Paul tells us that the kings of this world are given the sword “to punish” the evil-doer. For today’s discussion, I want to take this at face value and assume that God has (and has always had) a standing calling upon human governments to punish or at least restrain and deter evil behavior by people. Given that, I want to ask these questions:

What is the strategy that God has revealed in Christ for good to win out over evil (and not merely restrain or deter it)? Is force a “winning” strategy according to the NT witness? Is the “do good to the aggressor” strategy one that is merely the best that can be offered to a powerless and minority movement such as early Christianity (or to an outgunned Christian today), or is it emphasized in the NT because of its superiority in some way, whether its morality, mercy, or effectiveness in overcoming evil? Similar to our “cross” discussion, is this a strategy that begins and ends with Christ himself, or does his body continue to play a role in this most important of struggles? If so, how do Christ’s disciples best deal with evil in the world today? Who are the players and how do they fight this battle? What are the “weapons” to overcome evil? Are some more powerful than others, even on the same team? Is there an “A-bomb” equivalent for the weapons of good? What would it be? How do the teachings and example of Christ, or even his whole story (i.e., the gospel) shape our answers to these questions? [Read more...]