I don't belong to the AAP, AMA, MMA or MMS. When I used to belong to the MMA, at least I got A LOT of free legal advice that was helpful.
I alway love that the Maine Medical Society wants me to pay dues and then I hear from them once a year about the annual picnic.
Personally, I find most of the organizations to be rather useless. I am actually in the middle of a four shot series of rabies shots for an 8 yo, when I got an email from the AAP announcing new guidelines for post-exposure animal bites. I tried to read the article, but I couldn't because I am not an AAP member. Now, you will tell me I should be and not to complain, but I find it pathetic that an organization devoted to the health and well-being of children will withold information because I am not a member.
OK, charge me for the Red Book and charge me for your conference but don't email me with vital info and then withold it from me.
@Leslie You are completely right, but it is sad, that for the same reason doctors won't fight the system, they are't going to not pay these huge organizations.
I personally think we should unionize and, if the government wants to call that antitrust, then go to court. Unfortunately, they have that little thing they call the licensing board that can simply pull your license.
I find the problem is there just isn't enough public opinion or knowledge of the plight of primary care physicians.
While the number of people who are avid sports fans is relatively small compared with the overall population, virtually all of the sports fans know of the lockout. And, support for the owners and players is around 50 - 50. This, even though the average salary is almost $1,000,000. (Average career is 3 to 4 years).
When Hurricane Katrina hit, my guess is that nearly the entire population over 12 years old knew about it within 24 hours. I am guessing that over years maybe 5% of the public know what PCPs are reimbursed for Medicaid and Medicare. I would bet that most people would have little sympathy for physicians and have no idea the number of hours worked and the average salary minus the loans.
As a quick example, my automobile insurance company was sued after an automobile accident I was involved in. The amount of coverage I had left me short of the amount asked for. The attorney for me (hired by the insurance company) kept advising me to pay the difference of $50,000, because if it went to court, a jury could award much more. He just didn't seem to understand that although I was a rich physician, I just didn't have $50,000 lying around in a bank account.
