How about paying the MD the same wage for providing the same services as the nurse practitioner.     The obused party are the patients that need but can not afford medical care.   The solution from Democrats, have somebody else pay the cost.  The solution by the Republicans, too bad, so sad, go get a better job.

Some of us remember our physicians living in our neighborhood.    Yes they had a nice home, but nothing ostentatious that would put them behind the guilded gates of that seperate the unwashed from the elite  Most are nice people and competant physicians, but they plead "I don't know about the money, I'm just your doctor, not the accountant".  I know this because I've challenged billing practices for 20 years and the physician knows the least of all parties.   But their ignorance of the stress caused to their patients, is no excuse for outrageous charges for service.

Take your next bill directly to the provider, ask them how their cost is established.