Enough.

Now I give up.

Health care reform looks to be in peril. Again. What's new?

As a future health care professional (resident, fellow, attending), I have taken an active role in writing, talking, and stewing over HCR debates currently going on in this country.

There has been an abundance of misinformation, grandstanding, and frustration. Many of us who are intimate stakeholders in this game -- who will provide the care in the future -- have wanted it to work. The non-medical professionals -- the citizens, the congresspeople, et al -- have framed the debate in their terms. They say reform, in its current manifestations, is unpopular. They say the American people want to start over. They say health care in America is the best in the world.

OK, let's try it. Let's keep things where they are.

But I have no sympathy for the people who start complaining about escalating costs, overcrowded emergency rooms, and denials of care. Does this sound callous? Absolutely. But enough is enough.

I'm trying to finish a PhD and get back to the wards. I'm trying to become a good doctor. And the whole public debate on health care reform is so pathetic, so "missing the point," so embroiled in death panels; and now, in today's news the opponents of reform (after all "we have the best health care in the world") are suddenly "noble" opponents [go to the New York Times, David Brooks column, examine Politico.com for analysis of the "tie goes to the GOP", and so on]. Look, people who think it's all good: if it's so good for you, then I'll see you in ten years. I'll treat you, but it's going to cost you.

Because everyone thinks it's hunky dory, cool. I will still have a job, I will still get paid, and you're going to pay. So let's all go in on this experiment. See how it works for you.

It's not going to be pretty.