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: Althouse

"We await the President?s evidence that the nation's pediatricians are striking it rich with unnecessary tonsillectomies."

"'You come in and you?ve got a bad sore throat, or your child has a bad sore throat or has repeated sore throats,' President Obama explained at Wednesday?s press conference. 'The doctor may look at the reimbursement system and say to himself, 'You know what? I make a lot more money if I take this kid?s tonsils out.' If that?s what he really thinks is wrong with U.S. health care ? and with the medical profession ? then ObamaCare is going to be even worse than we thought."

Is the government's approach to medical care going to be more solidly based on science and less focused on dollar amounts than the system we have now? Or is it the other way around? Obama impugns doctors, because, supposedly they care about money more than science, but, without evidence ? and considering the rarity of tonsillectomies ? he doesn't seem too well grounded in science.

And he's been presenting his program mainly as a way to save money, so he's openly admitting he's about the money, in which case, why bash doctors for being about the money (if that's what they are)? Obama talks as though he'll only deny us expensive treatments that are less effective than cheaper ones, but I'm trusting that far less than I trust my doctor.

IN THE COMMENTS: Bissage writes:

At this very moment, presidential aides are lining up pediatricians to invite to the White House for a beer.

Donald's Designated Driver says:

Personally, I'm glad that our President has the balls to take on Big Tonsil.

Full post as published by Althouse on July 27, 2009 (boomark / email).