A survey of anesthesiologists is revealing in how they view potential upcoming health reform:

– “Universal healthcare will mean Medicaid reimbursement rates. All physician incomes will decline substantially and quality of patient care will erode due to inability to maintain practice costs.”

– Any single payer would dictate fees to physicians, like Medicare does currently.”

– “All physicians will work harder for the same income.”

– It’s inevitable. Salaries will decrease, but along with this will likely be a big decrease in clinical workload and/or effort by doctors.”

Probably true statements in the case of many specialties. Placing physicians on salary will also likely reduce their workload – since the incentive to see more patients would evaporate – but I suspect some doctors would readily trade in the money for a more manageable lifestyle.