If doctors go into medicine simply to help people, why do they all insist on making $100K+ a year?

Question

I survive on SUBSTANTIALLY less than doctors so I know it's possible to do.

Getting insurance to pay for inflated costs doesn't help anyone, it still raises the overall costs of health care for everyone.

Why don't doctor SHOW their altruism instead of speak of it? They could take substantial pay cuts and STILL make more than the average person. And they would have more credibility in their professed motivations.

Answer 1

Maybe if I whine as much as doctors do about MY costs of doing business, which are VERY substantial and how much I am forced to do for free on a daily basis under ever-increasing government legislation there will come a day when I can make as much as a doctor does
Patiently waiting for my BMW too.

Answer 2

Besides all the factors of open markets where there is a severe shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas, there are a couple of other factors.

When doctors graduate, they typically have $200-300,000 of student loan debt. It has to be paid off somehow.

Starting a practice can be very expensive. Equipment, a staff, etc. all cost money.

The reimbursement rates from insurance companies are growing smaller and smaller, even though the cost of care is going up. The doctors themselves have to make up this cost, and you can bet it's going to be passed on to the patients at some point.

Finally, there is the cost of malpractice insurance. The cost of this insurance can cost $100,000 year, in some specialties. Of course, this has to be paid for, and is passed onto the consumer.


So, I think that if you're looking for someone to blame in the high cost of health care, take a look at the insurance companies.

Answer 3

Well as a doctor you spend like 10 years in university and have to take a bunch of tests throughout. Plus you really do not have a life while you are studying medience. So 100k seems to be good compensation for all that time and hard work spent on studying medience. Just think of all the lives doctors have saved and improved from studying medience you cant put a price on that. If people are not healthy how do you expect to have a productive economy.

Answer 4

I am a medical student. My education costs $100,000 a semester. If you are willing to pay that off for me I will work for minimum wage.

When I was asked in my interview "why do you want to be a doctor" my answer was not "to help people." I stated that I wanted a career that was intellectually stimulating. I wanted to enter a field that was always progressing. I am attracted to the responsibility and liability of the career. I said that my volunteer experience with Hospice lured me in medicine, as I saw first hand how illnesses affected individuals and I helplessly longed for a way to facilitate the suffering.

Answer 5

Well, your question would be a little more sensible if doctors got to go to school for free. Sadly, when doctors get out of college and residency, they have likely run up about a $500,000 (yes, half a million) school loan that has to be paid. They put in many years of school and then they work long residency hours, then into private practice. Most doctors make well over $100K, especially if they are specialists. If you want to make more money, you have to get better skills and a better career. Don't blame doctors because you don't make much money.

Answer 6

When professional athletes get paid what they are worth then doctors should get a pay reduction.Doctors have paid a great deal for their education, the cost of setting up a practice ( office, staff, malpractice insurance etc).I think we all realize that some doctors are in it for the money.Professional athletes not only get a princely income from their contract, product endorsements and selling their autographs. Not only do the fans get to pay skyrocketing ticket prices they must also pay for an autograph. Do you think athletes are only in it for the love of the game.It makes me sick. Call me a doctor.

Answer 7

A medical degree is very costly, and most of the students live very frugally while in school. Further, it's very expensive to maintain a practice. Dr's have incredible responsibility, and are expected by their patients to be perfect. Malpractice insurance is almost prohibitively expensive, and there are many Dr's that offer their services to folks who have limited income, and/or no medical insurance. Why do computer engineers expect to be paid over $150,000.00 as an entry salary. Income is based on the value of the services offered, and I'm happy to pay my Dr. for her services.

Answer 8

Consider how long they had to study and go to school. The school debt for most doctors starting out is very high. Compared to other careers, I don't think they are over paid, The big problem is that every one wants to sue if things go wrong. This drives up costs alot. Face it, nothing in medical care is a sure thing.

Answer 9

I have worked in the medical profession for over 20 years.Doctors do care for and want to help the patient.For a very high price.Pay cuts are out of the question.PERIOD

Answer 10

Some don't. Look at Doctors Without Borders, for example, who work for nothing to bring relief to parts of the world that are hurting.