http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/healt ... .html?_r=1#

There's a class shift going on here. Docs are leaving private practice and becoming salaried employees. Welcome to the proletariat, doc!

"Dr. Flanigan was recently forced to close his own practice, and he now works for a company with hundreds of urgent-care centers. He said that in his experience, conservatives prefer owning their own businesses. "

I'd like to see some proof of that. Half the ones I know are sucking on a gummint teet, directly or indirectly.

And even the ones still in private practice are complaining mightily about being squeezed & screwed by the insurance companies. It could be analagous to the first progressive era when farmers (also independent businessmen) rebelled against being squeezed by the railroad companies and bankers.

If MDs are moving left, we need to keep an eye on their professional organization, the AMA. Will they back more progressive positions (like single payer, or at least a public option)?