SGR: Tired Of Congress Hitting The 6-Month “Snooze” Button
I have not a single thing I want to write about today. I am weary of the obvious topic: the “passage” of the 6-month extension on the SGR, but do feel I need to comment.
I am tired of this. I am tired of being jerked around by congress. I am tired of congress hitting the 6-month snooze button and somehow feeling that they are doing something good. This is procrastination, not a solution. Reassurances that something will be done are starting to be irrelevant. The problem is becoming the frustration, anger, and exhaustion that congress is thrusting upon doctors and patients, not the pay cut itself. The idea of no longer having to deal with the passive-aggressive tactics of congress is becoming increasingly appealing –- and if it’s this way for me, I’m sure it’s the same for PCPs across the country.
At some point the promises of the unfaithful spouse ring hollow. Yes, things may get better, but that’s starting to not matter anymore. Eventually you just have to break off the relationship, and congress’ recent (in)actions are making a lot of us consider that possibility. The consequences would be great, but to enable the pathology in Washington may have greater consequences.
Argue all you want that this is “politics as usual,” but I am starting not to care. Blame the conservatives, the liberals, or the president. Blame the AMA, the drug companies, lobbyists, or those pesky muskrats. Pointing fingers won’t make us any less jaded by the process we are enduring. It has to stop. Things have to change.
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
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