AMA to Obama: Stop accusing us of wanting to hack off people’s body parts, champ
posted at 9:06 pm on August 12, 2009 by Allahpundit
A follow-up to last night’s post about the looming dangers of mass amputation if ObamaCare doesn’t pass. This is now the second time in three weeks that a doctors’ association has had to correct him publicly over a bit of cheap demagoguery aimed at scaring people into swallowing his plan. Or, rather, the third time: The American College of Surgeons released a statement of its own earlier this evening hammering him on the same points as the AMA. What’s next for The One? Accusing nurses of stealing money out of patients’ wallets while they’re asleep?
We agree with President Obama on the importance of prevention. However, a recent example used to illustrate his important point was misleading. Surgeons are not paid $30,000 to $50,000 to amputate a diabetic’s foot. Medicare pays a surgeon, on average, from $541.72 to $708.71 for one of two procedures involving a foot amputation. It is possible that the total bill, hospital stay, rehabilitation, prosthesis, etc. may approach the larger amount mentioned.
In the case of tonsillectomies, a patient is referred to a surgeon after medication therapy has proven to be ineffective. Actually, the medical profession itself recognized questions about utilization and appropriateness of tonsillectomies and took action by developing clinical guidelines, which has resulted in a sharp decline in the rate of tonsillectomies.
These types of examples create the impression that physicians are motivated by payment levels rather than what is best for patients. The AMA will continue to stress to our elected leaders that physicians are dedicated to putting patients first and optimizing health care quality.
Translation: The guy who wants to run American health care was off here by a factor of 100 on cost. Although who knows? If the public’s fears about exploding health-care expenses under ObamaCare prove justified, maybe someday soon an amputation will run you $30-50K.
Oh, here’s something else I spotted on the wire today that has no implications at all for a public option or single-payer. None.
Blowback
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Obama a Scare Monger? Naw…
Upstater85 on August 12, 2009 at 9:08 PM
These doctors are dangerous..
the_nile on August 12, 2009 at 9:08 PM
I can’t stop laughing at the headline. So good Allah.
Cindy Munford on August 12, 2009 at 9:09 PM
The government doesn’t like competition.
HornetSting on August 12, 2009 at 9:09 PM
AMA is hemorrhaging physician membership, and only 20 percent of active physicians in the US belonged to begin with. In two months they’ll ask “Obama Who”?
Marcus on August 12, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Accusing the government of wanting to kill Grandma, still okay.
Nonfactor on August 12, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Why not, it’s about the same amount all of his math turns out to be off by…
doriangrey on August 12, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I thought only the Right and The Mod are trying to scare people.
Cindy Munford on August 12, 2009 at 9:10 PM
DEATHFOOT PANELBPD on August 12, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Pay up suckers.
BadgerHawk on August 12, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I was making a trip from my iTouch to the computer to say a similar thing. Always love the headlines with Insert sarcastic message to Obama here, Champ! kuudos to AP!!!
WashJeff on August 12, 2009 at 9:11 PM
does the AMA get beer now?
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Can we amputate Obama?
hottieinthehouse on August 12, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Don’t amputate me, bro!!!
BPD on August 12, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Why should he stop? It seems to be working for him.
ItHurts2Pee on August 12, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Not the government, just certain influential individuals within it. And not kill Grandma, but end her life more quickly through an allocation of funds towards younger people.
Thanks for playing.
BadgerHawk on August 12, 2009 at 9:12 PM
How can anyone swallow his plan when it is well known that doctors are out removing esophagi just for the thrill of it and the fact that payments come to them on time?
Did you know that it costs $372,000 to remove an esophagus but only $0.12 for a stick of gum? But doctors refuse to prescribe sticks of gum and they just rip out the esophagus the mintue someone opens their mouth. We can save $24.3 trillion just by having doctors feel safe in prescribing gum to their patients.
progressoverpeace on August 12, 2009 at 9:12 PM
You gotta love a headline that refers to Ochavez as “Champ!” Looking forward to “Sport” and “Pal” in future headlines.
james23 on August 12, 2009 at 9:13 PM
-Dr. Obooba.
Next he’ll remind us that Mengele was a doctor.
Akzed on August 12, 2009 at 9:13 PM
why they sure have been “acting stupidly” and all—amputatin’ all dem feet, and takin’ out all dose tonsills ‘n prescribin’ all dem drugs and all….daaaaamn… making all dat coin…
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Great pic Allah!
keep smilin’ there Jack, you are toast!
cmsinaz on August 12, 2009 at 9:13 PM
OK thanks , we were wondering.
the_nile on August 12, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Did I just read somewhere that Olbermann gave Ed props for something Allah wrote?
TendStl on August 12, 2009 at 9:14 PM
How much do doctors charge for knockin dames out with roofies and squeezing their boobs? I mean, I wouldn’t put it past a doctor.
Akzed on August 12, 2009 at 9:15 PM
In the next National Enquirer:
“Big Foot meets Big Tonsil”!
TexasJew on August 12, 2009 at 9:15 PM
If the AMA wants to stop him from lying about doctors, they should amputate his tongue.
Monica on August 12, 2009 at 9:15 PM
He’s improving. When he claimed that 10,000 people had died in that tornado in Kansas, he was off by a factor of 830.
BTW, when you talk about factors and The Precedent, you are instructed to use “and”, just like the idiot-in-chief. So, ‘he was off by a factor and 100′ is how you would say it. Profit and earnings ratios.
progressoverpeace on August 12, 2009 at 9:15 PM
” … cuz all surgeons are really Sweeney Todd at heart, you know that, don’t'cha?”
laelaps on August 12, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Don’t give them any ideas.
conservative pilgrim on August 12, 2009 at 9:16 PM
My 6 yr old had his tonsils and adenoids removed and the turbinates in his nose reduced yesterday. The doctor charged $886.40. My portion of the bill was $158 and I used our HSA to pay him.
red131 on August 12, 2009 at 9:16 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq5_pEO8a8U
Jeff from WI on August 12, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Obama has gone from a smooth talker to a bumbling idiot in 6 months flat! He is even beginning to make GW look like Steven Hawkings.
On a side note, Fox News as a network, has officially declared war on the Obama administration’s lies and deceit.
TampaBayBull on August 12, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Obama says they are cutting off feet of $30,000 per. I mean like, it totally out of control, like we need the Government Health Care, to imprison the Doctors, so….uh we can have real Doctor care, or something.
I (Heart) Obama.
/Sarc
GunRunner on August 12, 2009 at 9:16 PM
So conservies are not allowed to “scare” little old ladies with threats of rationed care….
….but it’s okay for Obama to scare them with threats of predatory doctors chopping off limbs and ripping out tonsils for profit.
The blatant hypocrisy from the left is just ridiculous.
MobsterinVA on August 12, 2009 at 9:17 PM
We need an Amputation Czar!
whatzit2u on August 12, 2009 at 9:17 PM
That’s for congressmen to do.
Monica on August 12, 2009 at 9:17 PM
I’d be worried about things getting cut off too, if I had to live with that woman.
Jim Treacher on August 12, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Baroque isn’t really interested in health care at all. He wants to use it as a trojan horse to massively increase the scope and power of government.
He doesn’t even pretend to get his figures right, or more generally to seem like he knows what he is talking about.
This is transparent statism.
Anders on August 12, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Alternative monologue for Obama in above video clip:
Let’s take Diabetes. I know nothing about diabetes. Neither does the government. So let move on. Medicare. The government has a great history of serving the elderly as long as you ignore the program impending insolvecy. The USPS, though, is a good…no let me move on. Can someone please faint so I can move to my “Can we get some water up here” bit!
WashJeff on August 12, 2009 at 9:18 PM
New Obamamath: correction factors.
correction factors for his budget, for his mischaracterization about medicare repayment fees…
it’ll be like converting centimeters to miles….
real easy and clear.
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:18 PM
If the AMA wants him to stop slandering what’s left of their dwindling and ticked-off membership, they should stop kissing his stupid lying ass.
TexasJew on August 12, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Uh hoh geez…..
Listen to the lawyer putting down the doctors.
NeoKong on August 12, 2009 at 9:18 PM
PERFECT!!!
you’re on a roll there Jeff
:-)
cmsinaz on August 12, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Someone said that Olbermann gave Ed props for Allahs post on the gun toting dude at the Obama townhall.
Well done
TendStl on August 12, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Ouch.
conservative pilgrim on August 12, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Yesterday, My doctor was writing a prescription for my daughter and I asked him if he was sure he didn’t want to call Washington first!
TN Mom on August 12, 2009 at 9:20 PM
None of my posts are showing up
TendStl on August 12, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Hop on board the Obama train derailment.
ICBM on August 12, 2009 at 9:20 PM
LOL
excellent
cmsinaz on August 12, 2009 at 9:21 PM
7.7 million dollars over three years for ONE Planned Parenthood clinic from Medicaid!!!! There is no way this can become that national norm.
Cindy Munford on August 12, 2009 at 9:21 PM
If I had to live with her, I would cut it off myself… right before I slit my throat.
BPD on August 12, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Dang Klingon rituals!
WashJeff on August 12, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I wouldn’t say that’s the way it happened. Obama started a war with Fox during his campaign and it’s never really stopped. After the election, most of the people on Fox went out of their way to be polite, I even remember Karl Rove comparing the Obamas to the Cosby Show the night of the election.
But all they’ve ever gotten in return was hatred and disdain. And today Obama managed to annoy the last friend he had there, BOR.
MobsterinVA on August 12, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Speaking of predatory tonsillectomies, the VA told me I need my tonsils out. The VA doctor asked if I had insurance through my employer which I replied with an affirmative. Upon finding this, the VA doctor referred me to my insurance provider to non-government primary care provider instead of recommending I do this surgery through the VA. Now, the VA has service connected me for my tonsils (they will pay every dime to have the procedure) but they are referring the “business” away from themselves? Doesn’t seem like an efficient way to operate.
Really opened my eyes to government health care.
Eprider on August 12, 2009 at 9:23 PM
If I had to live with her and my dadgum mother-in-law, I would cut it off myself… right before I slit my throat.
FIFY
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:23 PM
AP, don’t link my local rag anymore (The Spokesman Review)!
They’re dying and we need to speed up the process.
artist on August 12, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Good grief, this thug is out of contol.
Zorro on August 12, 2009 at 9:23 PM
We had a long conversation about obamacare. My doctor is outraged as I am at obama’s comments, lies, and fear mongering!
TN Mom on August 12, 2009 at 9:24 PM
The President wants the people in the way to stop talking, but he’s also all about a healthy debate on health care.
The town hall protesters are shouting down legitimate debate, but he wanted a bill passed before any town halls could be held.
He’s pledged not to sign a bill that will add to the deficit, but can’t tell America what the funding mechanism is for the program, but wanted the bill passed before an adequate funding mechanism was in place.
Those are just off the top of my head.
BadgerHawk on August 12, 2009 at 9:25 PM
good to know…glad he is on the same wavelength
cmsinaz on August 12, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Whoa–I read the whole statement from the association of surgeons, and I know surgeons, they’re raised by wolves. These guys really just told The Won to get bent.
Surgeons are masters of cold steel. DO NOT cross them….
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:26 PM
AP-You did not spell “Chump” correctly in your headline…
AnthonyK on August 12, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Notice that they aren’t removing their support of his plan.
spmat on August 12, 2009 at 9:27 PM
they sure didn’t repeat it though like Paglia did today….
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:27 PM
New recruitment drive for your local medical school:
JoeinTX on August 12, 2009 at 9:28 PM
AMA has been leftist for years. For having sold their soul to the DNC they should not be surprised that having joined the Obama circus they got The Clown.
viking01 on August 12, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Perhaps I am a sadistic son of a gun but I am LMAO too. :)
Bulldogger on August 12, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I can not believe the a@@hattery that comes out of that man’s mouth!! He does understand that if a physician does not work to manage his patient’s diabetes and that lack of management (negligence) results in an amputation, that physician is asking for a med mal suit that is going to cost him way more than any medicare/medicaid fee he may collect. Does he really believe and have evidence that the majority of physicians treating medicare/medicaid patients treat on the basis of payment and not on the basis of their patients’ needs? That and this country is swimming in diabetic amputees, right, so doctors can get rich!!?? He also has to believe that diabetics are willing to let themselves go to the extent a foot will be lost. Really? Really? Does he even know anyone who is diabetic? Does he also understand that diabetes can occur not simply as a result of obesity? There is a young woman in my family who as a result of a virulent infection that destroyed her pancreas has been a diabetic since age 10. When will he cut off her care, at 30? because she had the nerve to be a long term diabetic? I just want to resort to banging my head repetitively against the wall.
Willie on August 12, 2009 at 9:29 PM
This is what happens when Chavez-Alinsky class hate rots your brain.
Hey, Einstien-in-Chief, most people from every class level respect and trust doctors.
Hey, heres a crazy idea, why don’t you talk about crooked medical malpractice lawyers?
(Crickets)
jjshaka on August 12, 2009 at 9:30 PM
O better hope he doesn’t need any emergency surgery soon. Some greedy surgeon might get a little knife happy to line their pockets.
Monica on August 12, 2009 at 9:30 PM
All Americans are going to be tonsil-less amputees pretty soon.
marmaran on August 12, 2009 at 9:31 PM
SCAREBAMA!!!!
ramrants on August 12, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Obamacare……….
………… in a nut shell.
Seven Percent Solution on August 12, 2009 at 9:31 PM
I’m going to go invest in wooden legs….
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:32 PM
now THAT is funny!
Ampersand on August 12, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Sort of off topic, but looking on the picture of the President of Hondurous on Drudge, did doctors transplant Sam Donaldson eyebrows on him?
WashJeff on August 12, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Um, Steven Hawkings doesn’t exactly have an easy time speaking. Its not like he can just rip away on that voice synthesizer — the only input he can make is squeezing one button at the correct time. It takes him almost a minute to say ‘yes’.
Seriously. I’ve met the guy.
Count to 10 on August 12, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Oh my goodness. This is just too funny not to share…I’m wiping tears away from laughing…
don’t know who this is..just got it from a friend…too much~
http://la-gun.com/email/manning/
bridgetown on August 12, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Unfortunately, the surgeons started and ended their note on their knees:
It’s a shame that they can’t just come out and say that The Precedent is a bald-faced liar who isn’t ashamed of his clear ignorance and, in fact, uses his ignorance as a weapon.
Until people start actually saying the obvious – The Precedent is truly a borderline moron who wouldn’t be trusted running a lemonade stand or taking an 8th grade math test – this idiocy and the thuggishness will not stop. The more people treat this retard as if he had a brain, the longer all this goes on. The Precedent is stupid and it is high time that people started saying that, point blank.
progressoverpeace on August 12, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Rahm and “Stumpy” Family Physicians — tonsillectomies and amputations our specialty (and ticket to big $$$)!
ya2daup on August 12, 2009 at 9:33 PM
My neighbor had his leg amputated last year due to diabetes. He is about 70. Prior to the amputation, the doctors tried for months to save his leg. He spent weeks in the hospital, required a home care nurse when he was home, required massive amounts of antibiotics, had to quit his part time job, and became depressed. After months of trying to save his foot and the cost of thousands and thousands of dollars, he finally had his foot amputated. His wife said to me that they wish they had done it sooner. He recovered quickly, received his prosthetic, and regained his ability to enjoy life. I would bet that the cost of the months of trying to save his foot exceeded the cost of amputating it.
Sometimes these things can’t be avoided, but for Obama to get up there and once again try to smear doctors I find that (and him) despicable.
evie on August 12, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Waterloo!
TN Mom on August 12, 2009 at 9:34 PM
<
they said 80% of it… the message got through lima charlie.
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Silly Allah! Obama will not attack nurses – they are unionized in many places and SEIU wants to unionize all of them. Doctors aren’t.
rockmom on August 12, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Time to chain Obama back up to the teleprompter.
evie on August 12, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I’m beginning to hope that we may have turned the tide on this. He’ll hit immigration abomination next year much farther down in public opinion. Honeymoon’s over baby.
Mojave Mark on August 12, 2009 at 9:36 PM
…and make him look like the Joker? Racism again!!!
WashJeff on August 12, 2009 at 9:37 PM
COMING SOON: A WAR ON JUNK FOOD AND COUCH POTATOES
The other alternative is bariatric surgery, and that is not cheap.
Then again, there is always forced labor camps for fatties.
IlikedAUH2O on August 12, 2009 at 9:38 PM
yeah, but nurses take care of babies and old people. obama really doesn’t think they’re productive so he’ll criticize the nurses for givin’ out medicine and giving bottles and such. babies and old people emit CO2, thus, they’re baaad.
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
The doctors at Walter Reed must be looking forward to the One’s annual prostate and colon exams.
Wethal on August 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
why can’t the nurse just give the cyanide instead of the IV, the cyanide costs half as much…
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
You think the enviro-wackos are going to let you cut down trees?
“I’ll bankrupt the wooden leg industry.”
progressoverpeace on August 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
doctor fatfingers anyone?
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Obama is in dire need of a proctologist to extract his head from his a$$.
farright on August 12, 2009 at 9:40 PM
His tone towards how well nurses and doctors do their jobs is increasingly hostile. The AARP said they haven’t backed his plan, and he keeps just saying stuff, hoping it just materializes. And the rest of us wonder…”what did he just say I said?”
Ozprey on August 12, 2009 at 9:40 PM
drats, that was the capitalist in me coming out…
need to come up with new idea…. hmm.
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM
so AARP backing down. AMA and Association of Surgeons backing down and correcting him… Who’s next ?
ted c on August 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM
True. But, you know that I’m uncompromising :)
I’m still ticked about my doctor friends who voted for the moron.
progressoverpeace on August 12, 2009 at 9:42 PM
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