ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 30, 1993                   TAG: 9303300396
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BEWARE QUICK FIX FOR WHAT AILS US

I AM NOT a physician nor am I the son of one, but I know that we in this country had better be careful how we meddle in the free-enterprise system that includes the medical profession. Some may feel that a socialized medical system would handle the problems that exist, namely high medical costs at hospitals and physician care in general. I am afraid of this whole idea.

It is my impression that many of the problems that exist are the fault of patient demands. When times get tough, there is a great tendency to look immediately to the politicians in Washington to solve the mess we, in effect, have brought on ourselves.

I believe we are in for a real drubbing if we think that the most inefficient business in the world (the federal government) is going to fix the problem. We are bent, it seems, on telling the medical professionals what to do, how to do it and how much they can make while they are doing it. It isn't going to improve the system any more than gun control, in lieu of prosecution of crimes, is an answer to crime.

Womb-to-tomb care, as is done in some European countries, may sound great. But I'll bet that the ones who holler the loudest for the great government fix will be the ones who moan the most when they see 50 percent of their hard-earned salary go to the government to give what government deems is right for you when you are sick. I, for one, am happy with my doctor. He was my choice, and I am free to change any time I want.

For those who moan the most, I suggest they try calling a lawyer or, better, a politician the next time they are really hurting. See how far they get. Yes, we have problems. Let's just be careful the way we attempt to fix them. WILLIAM B. MARTIN ROANOKE 


 by CNB