HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1977-01-12, Page 3Sugar and'. Spice
by Bill Smiley
There was a grand foofawraw in Ontario
recently when the Toronto Globe and Mail,
which rather grandly calls itself "Canada's
- National Newspaper," and is nothing of
the sort, perpetrated a piece of journalism
that was irresponsible, to say the least, and
yellow, to say the truth.
It published a list of more than 800
Ontario doctors who had billed the
provincial health plan for more than
$100,000 in the past year.
What's wrong with that? Shouldn't these
money-grubbing medics be exposed?
Wasn't the Globe doing a public service?
Answer: no.
The Globe was doing what it professes to
despise in some of our racier newspapers:
acting in collusion with some pretty
dubious politicians to titillate the public
with half-truths and embarrass what to me
is still a noble and h onorable pro :ession.
The action was worthy of some of the
muckier British tabloids. .
What surprised me was the reaction of
the public. Setting aside the doctors and
their well-heeled medical association,
which was naturally outraged, most of the
letters to the editor attacked the newspaper
for its action.
Whatever demurrers advanced by its
defendants of .ter the event, the fact was
that the news was slanted, through
omission. The doctors named were
presented, through innuendo, as money-
gougers, with one hand on 'a scalpel and
the other in the government's (read
taxpayer's) hip pocket..
Publication of the names and addresses
of those doctors who had billed the health
plan for more than a hundred grand was
almost a blanket indictment of them.
What the newspaper did not stress was
that the figures were for gross, not net
income;and in many, many cases, the net
income was a long, long way below the
published figures.
I don't hold any brief for doctors. In
general, they give me a pain in the arm.
There is a certain pomposity, sometimes
arrogance, that' is donned along with the
letters M.D. after the name. This is not
helped any by the attitude of so many of
their patients - that the doctor always
knows best, that the doct or is a' special
sort of human being, that the patient
should practically ,tug his forelock when
addressing his doctor.
It's a fairly short step from there to the
point where quite a few members of the
profession begin to feel that they are little
tin gods. This irks me. I've met too many
little tin gods with clay feet to be impressed
by the title "Doctor."
There's something archaic, but very
attractive about that title. Bachelors of Art
don't go around calling themselves
Bachelor Jim. Smith. Masters of Art don't
insist that you address them as Master.
Same with engineers.
But when a guy gets a chance to put
Doctor before his name, whether his
degree is in philosophy, Theology or
chiropractery, there is no, way you are
going to stop him from using it.
My personal biases about doctors aside,
I have nothing but contempt for those who
suggested, ever so subtley, that the
professions- is out to gouge the public
ruthlessly.
Sure, doctors make a lot of money, most
of them. But I don't envy them. I wouldn't
be a doctor for three times the average
salary in the medical profession.
Sure, there are a few rotten apples in the
barrel, to whom the Hippocratic oath is
merely a licence to get rich. Couldn't the
same be said about any other barrel,
whether it contains union members,
merchants, politicans, or preachers? And
as for big business, the doctors are almost •
saintly when it comes to a comparison of
ethics.
Let's look at the facts. A doctor works
like a dog to get through medical school.
He doesn't really begin to make any money
until he is nearing 30, a time when most
• men are well settled in, their fields.
By, the time he has established a
practice, he 'is usually well in debt. If his
practice flourishes, he, works, like a dog for
20 or 30 years. During this period, he is
making a good income. But his family life,
his social life and his cultural life suffer
deeply. He works hours that would have. a
union leader screaming •bloody murder.
His scanty leisure time is constantly
interrupted. The only pension he can look
forward to is what he can save or invest for
himself.
About the tithe most men are slowing
down or looking forward to retirement, the
doctor ,is burned out. How 'many old
doctors do you 'know?
And all along the way he is dealing
constantly with pain and misery and fear
among his patients. No bed of roses, that.
Not to mention all the neurotic women and
hypochondriacal men he must suffer
patiently.
There are a few crooks and a few quacks,
but every doctor I've ever had dealings
with was a credit to the profession. Let's
have fair play for. our doctors, as well as
fair pay.
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New reeve
(Continued from Page 1)
Thanking the reeve for his
welcoming comments he agreed '
members wouldn't be hero if they
didn't expect hard work.
Not only are the arena and
sewers matters for' consideration
but thought must be given to the
equipment and facilities the
village, already has to ensure they
are kept in order councillor
George Jutzi said.
PUC Commissioner Harold
Bridge agreed that in general the
village was in good shape. He
hoped council- wOuldn't forget the
south west drain. •
Reeve Krauter welcomed the
press adding that when he has
anything to say about' what the
council is doing or concerning
village affairs the people should
hear it.
Referring to industry and the
contribution it might make to'
Brussels Reeve Krauter
emphasized that while he agreed
industry was desir able it Must
be the right kind of industry.
Huron. Warden Jack,
McCutcheOn Who retired this year'
as reeve of Brussels expressed
appreciation for the invitation to
attend the inaugural.
Referring to the arena and the
necessity of Monitoring the snow
load he said he hoped the mind' ,
Would continue to .accept the
obligation:
As a rural cOnitrimiity Brussels
(Continued on Page tO)
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ROGER HALL ,
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will be at
The Wingham Motel, WINGHAM on the 3rd
Tuesday of each month.
(January 18th)
For prior' information tall /71=5680 or write
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THE BRUSSELS .POST';. JANUARY 197/