Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

niyad

(113,523 posts)
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 12:31 PM Oct 2015

New Report Details Growing Threat of Politicians ‘Playing Doctor’ (gynoticians on the rise)


New Report Details Growing Threat of Politicians ‘Playing Doctor’


In a new report released last week, health and safety experts urged policymakers to consider the growing influence of US politicians in their electorate’s most personal and private spaces: exam rooms.





Compiled by the National Partnership for Women and Families in collaboration with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the National Physicians Alliance (NPA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the report, entitled “Politics in the Exam Room: A Growing Threat”, details how political influence has adversely affected the management of healthcare in the United States by highlighting three critical areas of concern: toxic exposure, gun safety and reproductive health. Each organization examined the “politically-motivated” restrictions affecting their particular area of expertise, warning of the potentially dangerous consequences of recent legislation protecting the fracking industry, “gag rules” to prevent physicians from talking to their patients about gun safety and TRAP laws.

“Quality health care must be based on evidence,” said Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families. “Laws that put the words of politicians into the mouths of health care providers or mandate medically unnecessary procedures are outrageous and costly in every way.”
The report concludes with a short list of recommendations urging lawmakers to “reject or repeal” legislation that encroaches on the patient-provider relationship or requires physicians to defy ethical standards and practices. It also urges physicians and their patients to speak out in opposition of said policies which “undermine patient-centered care” and allow lawmakers to abuse their authority.

According to Ness, “the record number of abortion restrictions” affecting women’s access to reproductive healthcare alone is a call to action. Since 2010, more than 280 abortion restrictions have been adopted by states like Arizona, Ohio and Texas, forcing patients to undergo medically-unnecessary procedures, endure biased and misleading counseling and suffer delays in their care.

“This kind of ideological encroachment on medical care must end,” said Ness. “Women deserve ready access to high-quality, evidence-based health care, free of politics and ideology. It’s past time that politicians exit the exam room.”

http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2015/10/23/new-report-details-growing-threat-of-politicians-playing-doctor/
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New Report Details Growing Threat of Politicians ‘Playing Doctor’ (gynoticians on the rise) (Original Post) niyad Oct 2015 OP
+a million. brer cat Oct 2015 #1
other people get arrested for practicing medicine without a license. niyad Oct 2015 #2
How politically correct. Politicians and medicine intersect here, too. proverbialwisdom Oct 2015 #3
. . . niyad Oct 2015 #4

brer cat

(24,591 posts)
1. +a million.
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 01:32 PM
Oct 2015

Politicians practicing medicine (even those with a medical license) need to be voted out of office. It is a total abuse of power.

proverbialwisdom

(4,959 posts)
3. How politically correct. Politicians and medicine intersect here, too.
Sun Oct 25, 2015, 01:45 PM
Oct 2015

MUST WATCH IN FULL: https://animoto.com/play/hkylt7kgN5vhrDieWvPyUA

Ignoring the topic on DU doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

And, by the way, there are two physicians running for the presidency who both oppose the concept of medical mandates associated with loss of fundamental rights. So what if it's a done deal for Democrats and not open for debate. Have I got news for you.




Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»New Report Details Growin...