Your Turn: The Doctor/(Government)/Patient Relationship

MIAMI – MARCH 23: Jackson Health System Primary Care Doctor Merja Clegg (R) speaks with her patient Lamar Jeffers as U.S. President Barack Obama, seen on a live streaming video, signs the healthcare insurance reform legislation on March 23, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Jeffers seeing Dr. Clegg , at the Jefferson Reaves Sr. Health Center, for a medical issue said that he felt the passing of the health reform issue was important for people like him that have little money but need medical help. The landmark bill was passed by the House of Representatives Sunday after a 14-month-long political battle that left the legislation without a single Republican vote. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Concerning the right wing, I’m sure a photo like this is like waving a red cape in front of an angry bull the way it dares place Obama and the government between the doctor and the patient. The other way to look at it, though, is that it’s not enough to just get on the desktop. The government needs to get all the way in to force the for-profit health insurance companies out the door.

I was interested in your take on this photo (and this variation) given all the compromises that formed the health care deal — and all the ways it relates to this scene.

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Michael Shaw
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