Florida Doctor Tells Obama Supporters to 'Go Elsewhere' for Care

[jacc1234]

MIAMI, Florida — A US doctor vehemently opposed to President Barack Obama's health care reform has suggested any patients who disagree with him find care "elsewhere."

"I'm not turning anybody away -- that would be unethical," Jack Cassell, a Florida urologist, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."

The sign tacked to his office door is clear: "If you voted for Obama ... seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years."

Cassell may be walking a thin line between his right to free speech and his professional obligation, said William Allen, professor of medical ethic at the University of Florida.

US doctors cannot refuse patients on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability, but political preference is not protected.

By insisting he does not quiz his patients about their politics and has not turned away patients based on their vote, the doctor is "trying to hold onto the nub of his ethical obligation," Allen said. "But this is pushing the limit," he said.

Cassell said a patient's politics would not affect his care for them, but added he would prefer not to treat people who support the president. "I can at least make a point," he said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jTtuNbZu00pAg6KApU8bio0JJI2Q

Im not sure where I stand on this, I know he can deny people for political affiliation but I still think he is an ass for doing so. Doctors should be about caring for patients not waving their political flags.

Here is the sign he put on his door:

What do you think?

 

[theeedude]

I would seek care elsewhere, for sure. Definitely don't want a moron for a doctor.

 

[highland145]

LOL. The next will be " We don't take medicare but we will take cash or visa."

 

[woolfe9999]

I think he's entitlted to do what he's doing so long as it complies with all applicable laws and does not run afoul of medical canons of ethics.

On a personal note, I am a professional, and I don't care one bit about the political beliefs of my clients. I happen to know what some of them believe for one reason or another, and my relationship with the ones who disagree with me is just as a strong as it is with those who agree with me. I think if you've reached a point where you don't feel comfortable associating with people of opposing political views, intensive self-examination is in order.

- wolf

 

[CADsortaGUY]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jTtuNbZu00pAg6KApU8bio0JJI2Q

Im not sure where I stand on this, I know he can deny people for political affiliation but I still think he is an ass for doing so. Doctors should be about caring for patients not waving their political flags.

Here is the sign he put on his door:

What do you think?

He's not denying anyone anything. He is suggesting those who support BHO go elsewhere because he'd prefer to not have them come to his business.

I'd might start giving a shit if he started refusing people but at this point he's leaving it up to the person coming in.

 

[jacc1234]

It is definitely a big red flag. I don't want my doctor wondering if im a Democrat instead of doing his job. But, he still has the right to turn away people for this reason. Political affiliation is not a protected class like race or religion so its not illegal.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

I would seek care elsewhere, for sure. Definitely don't want a moron for a doctor.

I interview my doctors. Do you?

 

[WhipperSnapper]

It must be nice to have so few competitors that you can just brazenly turn customers away. Perhaps we need to open up more medical schools and residency programs.

 

[Hacp]

It must be nice to have so few competitors that you can just brazenly turn customers away. Perhaps we need to open up more medical schools and residency programs.

Can't have that. The AMA, which supports Obama's plan, has a monopoly on medical schools. Notice in Obama's plans he didn't do one thing about the AMA's monopoly.

 

[highland145]

On a personal note, I am a professional, and I don't care one bit about the political beliefs of my clients. I happen to know what some of them believe for one reason or another, and my relationship with the ones who disagree with me is just as a strong as it is with those who agree with me. I think if you've reached a point where you don't feel comfortable associating with people of opposing political views, intensive self-examination is in order.

- wolf

I think it would depend on what the HCB will do to his practice/pocketbook. If he's going to lose a ton of $$, it's understandable. If it's just politics...not so much.

FWIW: I talk politics with a lot of my customers. We may not agree but we still do business because it's beneficial for us both.

 

[theeedude]

I interview my doctors. Do you?

Sure, but seeing behavior this unprofessional would save me the time.

 

[Red Dawn]

Piss on him!

 

[her209]

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

I guess LOL is in order?

 

[thegimp03]

No problem. Just like a restaurant reserves the right to refuse service to anyone it pleases.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Sure, but seeing behavior this unprofessional would save me the time.

Ah, so you call it "unprofessional" because someone suggests people of a certain opinion go elsewhere? I certainly don't it is. Sure, it's bold but certainly not even close to "unprofessional".

I've walked out on doctors I don't like, or hold opinions contrary to mine. This just saves everyone time and doesn't even come close to crossing the line - legally or ethically.

 

[RearAdmiral]

LOLarious

 

[Throckmorton]

Why would any Obama supporter WANT to patronize him?

 

[Red Dawn]

I could give a fuck whether a doctor likes my politics or what his politics are if I need his services. His stupid little note would be ignored by me.

 

[Red Dawn]

Why would any Obama supporter WANT to patronize him?

Because they don't give a good god damn what the doctor thinks of their politics.

 

[PJABBER]

The doc is not turning anyone away. He has a real concern about the impact of the law on providing the standard of medical care he wants to offer.

Many medical service and products providers are turning away from government payment plans as they make it economically nonviable for them to provide the quality of goods and services people still expect of them. The expectation of quality is still there but the payment is at the level of the local free clinic.

He asks you, the selective prospective patient to make a choice.

Do you want the high standard of care he provides? Come on in!

Do you prefer the lowered standard of care he believes this law will engender? Well, you won't appreciate the standard he provides, so go find someone that works at the service level you are willing to endure for the equality of outcome you voted for.

I bet he has so many new patients that he will wind up overworked but happy. Until the government comes to take it all away from him.

 

[Throckmorton]

I could give a fuck whether a doctor likes my politics or what his politics are if I need his services. His stupid little note would be ignored by me.

Fine, be a tool and give your money to people who hate you. But rest assured, the other side doesn't.

 

[theeedude]

Ah, so you call it "unprofessional" because someone suggests people of a certain opinion go elsewhere? I certainly don't it is. Sure, it's bold but certainly not even close to "unprofessional".

I've walked out on doctors I don't like, or hold opinions contrary to mine. This just saves everyone time and doesn't even come close to crossing the line - legally or ethically.

I can only speak for myself, and for me personally, doctor getting his personal politics involved in patient care in this fashion is highly unprofessional, and also indicative of his personal inability of putting patient care as first priority while at work.
I would not want this urologist working on my junk, that's for sure.

 

[Arkaign]

This would be just as f'in stupid as having a sign that said 'Voted for McCain'? GTFO!

He can do what he wants, but this looks like just more hyperpartisan splintering of the USA! Go go magic polarization!

 

[KMFJD]

Fine, be a tool and give your money to people who hate you. But rest assured, the other side doesn't.

Republicans supporters do this all the time...

 

[woolfe9999]

I think it would depend on what the HCB will do to his practice/pocketbook. If he's going to lose a ton of $$, it's understandable. If it's just politics...not so much.

FWIW: I talk politics with a lot of my customers. We may not agree but we still do business because it's beneficial for us both.

The HCL will put millions of people onto private insurance rolls, creating new business for physicians. Which do you think it is?

- wolf