As I write this editorial, regarding maintenance of certification. Being a doctor, these days, is neither easy nor relaxing.
Dr. John I. Allen
The government shutdown is cheered by some, but it has real consequences for 800,000 government workers who are not getting paid, and our scientific community, where grant applications, hiring, data collection, and other critical roles of government are needed, is at a standstill. The class action suit against ABIM is the latest action of physicians telling the ABIM that enough is enough. Read more and form your opinion from our page one article. The ACA continues to be attacked in a variety of ways. To those who want to abolish it, please have a reasonable alternative in place so that real people with real diseases are not left in a desperate situation.
Drug prices continue to make news. The most recent example is the enormous increase in the cost of insulin. I read a lot about the inner workings of the pharmaceutical industry and cannot fathom how such prices are justified. Perhaps we physicians and our medical societies should consider raising our voices for our patients.
In this month’s issue there are several articles about polyp detection and the long-term protective effect of colonoscopy. We are doing really important and excellent work to reduce the burden of colon cancer.
As a heads up, Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) returns to San Diego this year. Housing choices are opening up and in San Diego fill rapidly; visit www.DDW.org/registration for more information. This year’s science is ground-breaking and will continue to advance our knowledge about IBD, the microbiome, and other important topics.
John I. Allen, MD, MBA, AGAF
Editor in Chief
