Who Knows Better Than Us the Need for Healthcare Reform?

Report by Dr. Tony Tarchichi, Medicine-Pediatrics Resident, UMDNJ

It’s no question that health care reform will strongly impact the careers of all of us. It’s arguably one of the most important public debates of our lives. Like many of you, I’ve spent time in a state university hospital which is overrun with patients who cannot afford follow-up outpatient care and end up back in our ER. I’ve seen good people who’ve fallen on hard times who just can’t get the care they need. It’s not right.

Before you think that I’m just another liberal, let me give you a little background information: I’m a registered Republican and very fiscally conservative. I believe in small government, was against the bailouts from the beginning, and have read all of Dave Ramsey’s books. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that a healthy population is a productive population, and we need a productive population to be competitive in this global market.

How can we as physicians sit by and allow health care costs to be the number one cause of bankruptcy in America? How have we allowed the front line of primary care to be made so unattractive that we are seeing our US medical students run full speed in the other direction? It’s time for a change. I’m for health care reform, a public option that competes fairly with insurance companies, a greater emphasis on primary care through higher reimbursements, greater student loan service repayment options, and malpractice reform.

CIR has allowed me to get involved and get my hands dirty. Congressman Bill Pascrell from NJ’s 8th district asked for a physician to speak at one of his town hall meetings. Having seeing them on TV, you might think it was more of a punishment than an honor, but it was an amazing experience for me. I stood up in front of a hostile crowd, having watched two previous speakers get booed off the stage. And you know what? They listened. Since then, I have spoken once more at a Veterans’ fair with the congressman, and have been able to talk to him one-on one about my views on health care reform. How many people can say that? This is all completely due to CIR.

As physicians, our voice needs to be heard. CIR doesn’t just help negotiate contracts; they’re committed to helping residents make an impact for the national good. They helped turn this average Med-Peds resident into a physician advisor for a congressman—imagine what they could do if we all got involved.