An article in the June 30, 2007 Boston Globe tells of "two popular Boston internists" who are quitting their busy offices and starting "Concierge Practices" for those who can afford $3600 per person or $6000 per couple per year. It appears that they would still be allowed to charge Medicare and accept insurance coverage for office visits and procedures: essentially thus double dipping.
Concierge medicine is controversial. It seems blatantly wrong to us: specializing in "medicine for the rich." These are arrogant selfish physicians who are limiting their care to those who can afford them. Is it all about money?
William Osler wrote: "the practitioner of Medicine may illustrate the second great lesson, that we are here not to get all we can out of life for ourselves, but to try to make the lives of others happier. The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade: a calling not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head. Often the best part of your work will have nothing to do with powders or potions, but with the exercise of an influence of the strong upon the weak, of the righteous upon the wicked, the wise upon the foolish..."
We acknowledge that there are different opinions about this kind of medical care for the affluent and would welcome comments.
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