ASA Annual Meeting: Doctor Jerry Cohen, Gainesville, FL
Soundbite and Script
October 19, 2011
ANNOUNCER:
THE INCOMING PRESIDENT OF A NATIONAL MEDICAL SPECIALTY SOCIETY SAYS MEDICAL CARE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, BUT THE OVERALL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, NOT SO MUCH.
DR. JERRY COHEN:
“We knew we had finite resources when I was a medical student and that was some time back. It was pretty clear to all of us that we couldn’t spend infinitely on everything simply as if money were no object.”
ANNOUNCER:
IN FACT, DOCTOR JERRY COHEN, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ANESTHESIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, TOLD ‘ANESTHESIOLOGY 2011’ THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, THAT ONE PROBLEM IS THE COUNTRY HAS AN AD-HOC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM RATHER THAN A NATIONAL PLANNED SYSTEM.
DR. COHEN
“Trying to find a way to deliver the appropriate level of care, I think, is one of the strategies we need to pursue.”
ANNOUNCER:
DR. COHEN SAYS OTHER MAJOR ISSUES PHYSICIANS FACE INCLUDE THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE OF MEDICARE PAYMENT, CONTINUING DRUG SHORTAGES AND THE SHORTAGE OF SPECIALISTS.
