Over a year ago, iMedExchange started a campaign to videotape physicians asking questions for the candidates about their healthcare policies. The videos from our 'Physician Questions' campaign were submitted to the YouTube/CNN Primary Debates and we received responses from both Governor Bill Richardson and Senator Barack Obama. If you're curious, these questions can be found on the YouTube iMedExchange Channel.

The election seemed so far away when we were putting together the questions, not even knowing yet who the final two candidates would be, but the questions were a great way to get the conversation started. Since then, our physician members have discussed the candidates in both the groups and forums on iMedExchange. Find our physician members discussing their opinions of the Republican Convention, our Alaska docs discussing Governor Palin, Senator Obama's responses to physician questions and more here.

But the day has come. Election day, I think to everyone's relief, has finally arrived. I hope that everyone will vote and make their voice heard in deciding who will be the 44th President of the United States of America. In the meantime, I suppose all we can do is wait (or discuss your thoughts on iMedExchange!).

Having worked to deliver technology solutions to physicians for almost a decade now, I am incensed when I hear of yet another politician or group trying to solve some healthcare objective at the expense of physicians...literally. Pennysylvania and Ed Rendell are the latest culprits in a list that seems to be growing. Check out Fred Jarret's article in the Wall Street Journal called "Pennsylvania is Driving Doctors Away" for a solid overview of the growing litany of untenable "solutions."

Physicians are the foundation of our healthcare system and with even the slightest bit of research one would realize the economics of becoming and staying a physician are going in the wrong direction.

Tonight, CNN hosted the CNN/YouTube Republican Presidential debate from Florida. Despite the fact that healthcare is listed in virtually every recent poll as the most pressing issue on the minds of Americans, CNN failed to pick one question on the topic of healthcare to pose to the candidates.

Physicians from all over the country have made the effort to formulate and upload questions for the presidential candidates. While CNN was given a slow pitch right over the plate, they selected questions related to Mars exploration, bridge repair and the flying of the confederate flag to name a few…issues which clearly pale in comparison to healthcare.

Although I am sorely disappointed in CNN’s editorial work, we know the 2008 presidential candidates understand that the healthcare topic is of vital importance. iMedExchange continues to get responses directly from the candidates and welcomes those forthcoming.

We've created a montage of some of the physician video questions and put it on our YouTube channel. Please turn up your speakers and watch it!

Yesterday we received responses from Governor Bill Richardson to 6 of the physician video questions. The Governor and his campaign office were so responsive and thorough in choosing and answering these questions. Regardless of your political views, I hope everyone checks out the iMedExchange video page to read his personal responses. Its very exciting for us to see our physicians' questions getting attention.

The medical blogosphere is buzzing over the announcement that Medicare will stop paying the extra costs for treating preventable errors, infections and injuries occurring in hospitals – including bedsores. The new rules, scheduled to be published next week, outline the new policy. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services say this is part of a new initiative to improve the quality of care with the $400 billion it spends per year on healthcare. What does this mean for the average Physician? Potentially lower reimbursements, as hospitals are likely to absorb the costs. Among physician blogs that have covered this issue are Kidney Notes, KevinMD, and Clinical Cases.

Tobin Arthur and I continue to tour the country meeting with iCN members and Physician investors. This past week we made a stop in Washington D.C. The trip was empowering. Surrounded by the mammoth historic buildings that house the federal government, it was the perfect time to capture questions on video from our iCN advisors and investors for the upcoming YouTube/CNN Presidential debates. And, on our way to meet with some folks from the House of Representatives, we ran into none other than Mathew Lesko...The Question Mark Man! (see attached slideshow for proof)

Thank you for a great introduction to Washington DC and I look forward to returning soon.

In April, the Massachusetts legislature approved a very controversial bill requiring all 6.5 million residents of the state to have health insurance or face penalties. Last week the law was enacted, stipulating that residents with annual incomes below the federal poverty level are eligible for no-cost care. Residents with annual incomes up to three times the poverty level can enroll in state subsidized plans, while those with incomes more than three times the poverty level can choose their own coverage from new, lower-cost private plans if they are not offered coverage through their employer. Needless to say, other states are watching closely.

The movement in Massachusetts, Michael Moore's "Sicko", and other highly publicized healthcare stories are setting the stage for a very active debate on US healthcare during the upcoming Presidential election. Heavily affected by the outcomes of this debate, Physicians have a vested interest to remain well-informed and organized with respect to the public dialog.

After working with physicians for years, I am keenly aware of the myriad of challenges you already face...many of which are interconnected. Few professionals deal with the level of complexity involved in delivering both optimal and cost effective medical care in addition to managing a career, practice and caring for family.