Advice to New President
Even before the November 4 election and as the U.S. economy began a precipitous
tailspin, political pundits began
speculating about what issues the new president should address in the early
days of his presidency—if not sooner.
During that time LocumTenens.com decided to find out what issues were on the
minds of America's physicians.
In October 2008 we received 1,457 responses to a two-question survey regarding
the top issue area he should address
in his first year in office (multiple-choice) and their advice to the new
president (open-ended).
Considering our timing, it's no surprise that among 119
radiologists responding to the LocumTenens.com survey,
close to three fourths (70%) indicated the U.S. economy was the
most pressing year-one issue. However, it's interesting to note
that physicians are not that different from many other Americans
who were concerned about many issues beyond their own
careers and industries as the 2008 election neared. Highlights of
their open-ended comments follow.
U.S. Economy
"Work to stabilize the stock market and the dollar. Get more people working so
we can get the economy stable and get
consumer confidence up so they will start spending money again." --
Radiologist, Maryland
"Slash government spending and establish an outline to balance the federal
budget."
-- Radiologist, New Mexico
"Sign legislation imposing regulation of the mortgage and credit industry."
--
Radiologist, Louisiana
"Fix the economy… reduce taxes to stimulate businesses. Reduce anti-trust
constraints, which were fine when there was
no globalization but now work against American business interests which are
competing against businesses around the
world. At the same time, initiate all of the capabilities for production of
energy- -ALL of them at once and not in a
piecemeal fashion. Eliminate pork-barrel politics and earmark policies from
intrusion into our law -making."
-- Radiologist, California
Energy
"Fund development for a new energy source. Get off foreign oil, creating new
jobs in the process. Next end the
dependence on China and redevelop our industrial base."
-- Radiologist,
North Carolina
"Immediately begin process of bringing nuclear power plants on line and start
development of wind power sites
(decreasing the power of groups opposing sites) and encourage people to install
solar panels by giving tax breaks to
those who do so."
-- Radiologist, Maine
Healthcare Reform
"Control healthcare costs by mandating insurance, banning self referral and
curbing frivolous lawsuits by establishing
pre-trial screening/arbitration conducted by trained professionals."--
Radiologist, USA
"Do not forget to cut healthcare costs! It does not cost anyone $800 to hang
a bag of IV saline...but that is what we
charge insurers and patients!"-- Radiologist, New York
"Healthcare should be available to everyone with an emphasis on prevention
and personal responsibility. A healthier
people needs less healthcare dollars and money can eventually better be spent
in area of disease research and
containment. However, we must first enable all people to have adequate
healthcare to work towards this goal."
-- Radiologist, Kentucky
U.S Foreign Policy
"Meet with foreign leaders to address world economy and initiatives for
stabilizing Middle East and withdrawing from
Iraq."
-- Radiologist, Massachusetts
"Focus on the economy and foreign affairs. Try to improve the image of the
United States of America."
-- Radiologist, Michigan
"Must lead with care for the real acute problems Americans face: jobs and
financial issues. Care for the
future like decreasing debt, improving environment, clean energy technology,
serious resolution of Medicare
and Social Security, some way to improve healthcare not at expense of doctors,
and foreign affairs supporting democracies."
-- Radiologist, California
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