22% of Americans surveyed cut visits to doctor

Good news.

"Nearly a quarter of Americans have reduced the number of times they see their doctor because they want to save money in these tough economic times, according to a survey released Tuesday by the country's state insurance regulators.

The poll of 686 consumers, fielded in July for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, found that 22 percent of respondents weren't visiting the doctor as often as a result of today's economy."

Arguably shows that they do not need to go as often as they used to.

When people choose to economize, they generally cut out the things they consider least important first.

"Eleven percent of those surveyed also said they had cut back the number of prescription drugs they take or the dosage of those medications to make the prescription last longer."

More good news. Fewer drug reactions. Fewer overmedicated people.

"Some physicians noted an increase in such behaviors by their patients and were concerned about potential health consequences."

The "potential health consequences" are likely those related to the health of their bank accounts, lifestyles and luxury car payments.

"'There's a lot of evidence that the more patients are required to pay more for their care, the more that they make economic decisions about what to get or what not,' said Dr. Michael Potter, a family physician at UCSF Medical Center and head of the San Francisco chapter of the California Academy of Family Physicians. 'While some of that may be perfectly reasonable and acceptable, what I worry about is people not getting care that is really essential for their health.'"

Know what paternalistic, selfish Doc Potter?

Let the patient decide what "care...is really essential for their health."

You, just shut up.