• Published: Oct 10, 2009 - Page: 9B

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All semblance of truth and reality has been inundated by the pro-and-con publicity on health-care reform.

Since I am a retired physician, these are not self-serving comments, but what I wish to say is that Baton Rouge has one of the finest medical communities imaginable.

Many of these fine physicians will not tolerate the government involvement that is being proposed, because good physicians receive their reward from the saving of lives, accurate diagnosis and treatment of disease, and the gratitude of those treated.

No, it’s not just about money, or prestige, because these things are not sufficient to motivate a doctor getting out of bed at 3 in the morning to tend an ill patient, even one with no means of ever paying for the treatment. And that happens in Baton Rouge every night, many times over.

What I hear from my Baton Rouge doctor friends who are still working is that they will retire early, look for more lucrative careers or simply quit practice. This loss would be a catastrophe for this community.

And furthermore, these physicians have little representation in the media. The American Medical Association has swung far left, and while an exact number is hard to come by, it would certainly be an accurate approximation to say that, nationally, less than 20 percent of physicians belong to the AMA. Far less, I speculate, in Baton Rouge. And you will not see these fine physicians parading on television, because they work day, and many nights, caring for YOU, Baton Rouge.

To those who simply want “change,” be careful what you wish for, because you might live to regret that wish.

I know the system is not perfect, but it should not be destroyed for correction of a few problems.

James E. White, M.D.
retired physician
Baton Rouge