Indicium Brevis VI

Job Opportunities – The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released a list of the 10 jobs that will experience the most wage and salary employment growth through 2018. With many predicting that the US is headed toward a protracted high unemployment period, this is important news.  Top of the list?  Management, scientific and technical consulting services (830,000 new jobs) followed by, jobs in physician offices (772,000), computer systems design and services (656,000), general merchandise (607,000), employment services (600,000), local government aside from hospitals and education (487,000), home healthcare services (441,000), services for the elderly and disabled (431,000), nursing care facilities (394,000), and full-service restaurant jobs (343,000).  If you tally these numbers, healthcare is a whopping 31.8% of the total projected 5,167,000 new jobs from now until 2018.  We’re both the albatross and the engine.

The Polls – A new Gallup poll on the President’s approval rating on handling of healthcare reform and the economy showed that a mere 36% of Americans approve of President Obama’s approach – the lowest yet for the young Obama Administration.  But, a new Washington Post/ABC News poll showed that nearly 66% of Americans want Congress to work towards passing a final bill. Furthermore, 60% of the surveyed individuals and 56% of independents believe Republicans are not doing enough to reach a compromise and that the GOP is too unbending on healthcare.  On the fun side a recent Gallup poll showed 73% of Americans trusting their doctors over politicians.  In fact, the poll revealed that a strong majority believe the best way to fix our healthcare system is by taking the recommendations of doctors and healthcare professionals.  So, there may be hope for us doctors and our companion leaders after all.  We just need to step up to the plate…

The Snow– Friday – it seems – was the first time in anyone’s memory where tangible, touchable snow hit the ground in 49 of 50 states.  Hawaii continues to hold out.  And, Washington, DC was uncovering itself from a paralyzed state with more snow than has ever been recorded since the first year records were kept in 1884.  Last week, the federal government essentially closed for four days and 25% of the city’s plows were reported broken. Some cheered the first but expressed anguish on the second. 

Kevin Fickenscher, MD

The views and opinions expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Dell Services or its affiliates.