The future of healthcare under President Trump and how healthcare providers can have a say in it.
Physician’s Weekly, along with Dr. Linda Girgis, MD, FAAFP, hosted a live Tweet Chat on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to discuss the current and future state of our nation’s healthcare system. More specifically, the discussion was centered around what President Trump and his administration are doing to improve healthcare, and what will happen with the current system in place. While there are still many wheels in motion concerning policies, there have been numerous discussions among medical professionals and patients about what’s to come.
Here are some highlights from the discussion. Let us know your thoughts on these topics.
Question 1
Q1: What was the biggest news in healthcare during DT’s 1st 30 day, in your opinion?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
A1: POTUS Donald Trump signing an executive order his first day in office to roll back the ACA. #TrumpHealthcare #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
A1 Although he has not released his “actual” plan, there is much he has said. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
T1 There is always an intriguing tension between the revolutions in healthcare science and healthcare economics #trumphealthcare
— Robert Mahoney (@mahoneyr) February 23, 2017
T1 That said, not much news so far. Conservatives want to repeal the Affordable Care Act. What they will replace it with? #trumphealthcare
— Robert Mahoney (@mahoneyr) February 23, 2017
Question 2
Q2: Should the ACA be repealed? What should be kept? What needs fixing?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
A2: A2: Although I have been a big critic of the ACA, a full repeal at this point would be foolish creating chaos. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
A2: We need to fix the problems at the patient level: affordability, access #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
T2 Arguments against ACA fall into either (1) not legislated fairly or (2) not economically appropriate. #trumphealthcare
— Robert Mahoney (@mahoneyr) February 23, 2017
T2 If you disagree w/the way it was legislated, but you do not disagree w/the finance model, should you work toward repeal? #trumphealthcare
— Robert Mahoney (@mahoneyr) February 23, 2017
Robert, I cant pretend to understand the legislation. It’s the outcomes that we notice. Did #ACA kill jobs, as claimed? #trumphealthcarehttps://t.co/Zt1ZpCpEP5
— Mark Salke (@marksalke) February 23, 2017
Question 3
Q3: Do you think @realDonaldTrump has reasonable suggestions to fix the healthcare system? #TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
A3: No. @POTUS lips move but the words make no sense. Seriously. Its all rhetorical double-talk. #trumphealthcare https://t.co/0ahHnqZpDw
— Mark Salke (@marksalke) February 23, 2017
@physicianswkly @realDonaldTrump has suggested it’ll be great, cover everyone, and be cheaper than the #ACA. No plan yet. #trumphealthcare
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) February 23, 2017
Question 4
Q4: Will @realDonaldTrump‘s suggested ideas make healthcare more affordable? #TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
@mahoneyr @docshanep Free market is predicated on ability to shop around, negotiate prices, etc. But can’t do that in HC. #trumphealthcare
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) February 23, 2017
Agree. Prices fixed by outsiders; not negotiable. #trumphealthcare https://t.co/eYiq3VSHMV
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
Question 5
Q5: What does Tom Price as the head of HHS mean for U.S. Healthcare?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
@physicianswkly Q5 Didn’t @SecPriceMD suggest the answer was $2000 tax credits to help buy insurance? #trumphealthcare
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) February 23, 2017
T5 We do seem to be focused on the administration’s people rather than their policies. And yet – what alternative is there? #trumphealthcare
— Robert Mahoney (@mahoneyr) February 23, 2017
@mahoneyr Perhaps when we see policies from current admin, we can stop extrapolating from past actions. #trumphealthcare
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) February 23, 2017
@mahoneyr #trumphealthcare we know Health Savings Plans will be a big part new legislation, which isn’t helpful if you have nothing to save
— Ezra T. Ernst (@ClinicalChaos) February 23, 2017
.@RichmondDoc, @SecPriceMD has been introducing his replacement–Empowering Patients First Act–in Congress since 2009.#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
Q5 other than defunding women’s repro health, unsure, but very curious about MACRA implications #trumphealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) February 23, 2017
Question 6
Q6: What will happen in Price gets his way and Medicare is privatized?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
@DrLindaMD @mahoneyr @RichmondDoc @docshanep Docs can use capitalism to drive efficiency, contain costs, maintain outcomes #trumphealthcare
— Charles Munyon (@ChuckMunyon) February 23, 2017
Q6 IMHO It makes huge revenue for Wall St. Then large chunks go belly up, and population left to carry the can #trumphealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) February 23, 2017
A6: Insurance companies will leverage for profits, driving up costs over time. #trumphealthcare https://t.co/3DE68MC9U1
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
A6: Those who can pay get better. The rest of us? Pray you stay healthy. #trumphealthcare
— Mark Salke (@marksalke) February 23, 2017
Question 7
Q7: Will DT’s proposed rule 4 market stabilization of ACA actually stabilize market until ACA replacement is implemented?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 23, 2017
If DT “is really serious about stabilizing the individual insurance market the proposed rule changes will not be enough.” #trumphealthcare
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) February 23, 2017
@DrLindaMD good question. No one is asking docs on the frontline. CNN health debate skipped a doc in audience. #trumphealthcare
— Dr. Shane (@docshanep) February 23, 2017
The US is the only country where its citizens are forced into bankruptcy due to medical expenses. #trumphealthcarehttps://t.co/IFlHXUe1nk
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) February 23, 2017
About Dr. Linda Girgis, MD, FAAFP: She is a family physician in South River, New Jersey. She holds board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine and is affiliated with St. Peter’s University Hospital and Raritan Bay Hospital. Dr. Girgis earned her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency at Sacred Heart Hospital, through Temple University and she was recognized as intern of the year. Over the course of her practice, Dr. Girgis has continued to earn awards and recognition from her peers and a variety of industry bodies, including: Patients’ Choice Award, 2011-2012, Compassionate Doctor Recognition, 2011-2012. Dr. Girgis’ primary goal as a physician remains ensuring that each of her patients receives the highest available standard of medical care.
