White House decides to forget "mystery shopper" survey

Well, thankfully there has been a quick decision to forget the idea to use tax payer money to assess the doctor shortage issue we have in this country. Guess it took all the negative press for some in Washington to realize the time and money they would spend would be irresponsible.

Here is part of the latest statement released by the Department of Health & Human Services:

“After reviewing feedback received during the public comment period, we have determined that now is not the time to move forward with this research project. Instead, we will pursue other initiatives that build on our efforts to increase access to health care providers nationwide.”

The program, as outlined in the Federal Register, would have a federal contractor call the offices of 4,185 doctors in nine states. One Texas doctor summed up the idea best: “Is this a good use of tax money? Probably not. Everybody with a brain knows we do not have enough doctors.”

As many have reported, Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) also attacked the program. On Tuesday, he began circulating a letter to send to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius demanding more information about the program.

Politico reports that Kirk applauded the program’s end and made the following statement last night:

“HHS made the right decision to dump the ‘secret surveys’ to spy on physician offices,” he said. “I spoke against this misallocation of taxpayer dollars today on the Senate floor because the survey is duplicative of what we already know and funding should be spent solving problems, not studying them.”

In explaining their decision to scrap their original idea, the Obama administration explains that they are committed to finding ways to recruit and retain primary care physicians in this country and that pay disparities among doctors will be a focus they will address.

There really is no time left to waste. The cost of healthcare cannot continue and we do not have the time or luxury to entertain ridiculous side shows.

Mike Stephens blogs regularly at Action for Better Healthcare.