Military versus civilian physicians was Re: [OT] I need a reality check

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 08:47:08 +0200 KH.Ranitzsch@t-online.de
(K.H.Ranitzsch) writes:
<snip>
>This argument is incomplete.
>
>First, there must be some costs directly associated with the 
>procedures
>(medicines, implant, disposable equipment...)
>

Having done "Supply Stuff" both reserve USA 76Yankee and USAF active
duty
902x0 (medic) in Central Supply and 91?x0 (Orthopedic clinic tech) I can
honestly say the money gets spent (or you lose it and that much next
year) for "something' so if you have a plastic surgeon in a plastic
surgery clinic you spend the money on 'something' one way or another. 
No
incentive to have money left over any where near the end of the fiscal
year.  As  a Civilian analyst it's worse, they start stripping
undedicated (and sometimes unspent dedicated money!) around July for the
end of the Fiscal Year (last day of September) wish list.
 
>Second, and probably more important in terms of Dollars, the 
>government
>hospitals could offer the service of their surgeons to paying 
>customers,
>bringing in revenue.
>

Prohibited by Federal law in many cases - can't 'compete' with the
civilian sector.

>Indeed, a believer in free-market economy might ask why the long-term
>treatment of military personnel (as opposed to urgent in-theater 
>cases) has
>to be done by government institutions at all. Why not do it in private
>hospitals, (with the  government paying the bill), which would be more
>efficient at it ?
>

Can the military order a military physician to a combat zone if needed? 
Yes it can.  Can it do so without playing tons of time intensive legal
games?	No.

Efficiency by inefficiency was the first (and continuing lesson) I
learned in Federal service.  And that's not a joke.

>Greetings
>Karl  Heinz
>
>
Gracias,
Glenn

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