If the doctors went on strike
To the Editor:

Yes it's true! Doctors can and have refused to see patients around the world. What was the outcome? Take a seat, for you will be in for a big surprise! It is reported by representatives in the burial / mortician industry that usually when the doctors refuse to see patients, the death rate drops! The June 10, 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal reported that doctors in Israel cancelled hundreds of thousands of visits to outpatient clinics and tens of thousands of operations due to a labor dispute over a proposed contract by the government.

The Jerusalem Post then interviewed the non-profit Jewish burial societies which funeralize most Israelis. The veteran director of Jerusalem?s Kehilat Yerushalayim burial society stated: "The number of funerals we have performed has fallen drastically." Statement by Hananya Shahor Meir Adler, the manager of the Shamgar Funeral Parlour, which buries most of the remaining deceased Jerusalem residents stated: "There definitely is a connection between the doctors sanctions and fewer deaths. We saw the same thing in 1983 when the Israel Medical Association applied sanctions for four and a half months."

This is not an isolated incident. Even in America doctors have refused to see patients with unexpected outcomes reported. The latest was in Los Angeles in 1976 where it was reported that the mortality rate dropped by 18% during a work slow down to protest rising malpractice insurance.

What does all this mean? No one really knows, for statistics can be deceiving, as can those who report them. There are of course those who point the finger at medical mistakes and the shortcomings of drug therapy. This is not our approach, however.

We prefer to take a more positive, solution oriented perspective. Instead of blaming the doctors, why not learn to eat and live better so you won?t be sick! To encourage you in this important endeavor, Times of Refreshing Biblical Health Ministry is offering a free, elegant sit down dinner for you, your family and friends at the United Community Bank Bracket Community Building on Sunday, October 29, 2006. It is an after church event and the serving will start at 1:00 p.m. and continue until approximately 3:00 p.m. The cost of the meal and building rental will hopefully be covered by the proceeds from a free will donation box. Come and join us for this delicious healthy experience. If you can, call 706-835-2789 and let us know you plan to come and how many are in your party so we can prepare enough delicious, healthy food!

Shelem Flemons