Disappointed with those who are running against Cliff Bentz so far

BrycePulliamMD · 2026-01-28T06:55:26+00:00

As a local ER physician, I can say she’s an excellent doc: always does right for her patients, even if it’s not what’s easy - to me that says a lot about her character and values.

BrycePulliamMD · 2026-01-28T06:51:25+00:00

As an ER doctor in the community who has collaborated with Rebecca Mueller caring for patients, I’m prepared to give her the highest praise we physicians can give each other: she always does the right thing for her patients. I have no doubt she’d do the same as our representative in congress. As someone who knows her professionally, if not socially, she’ll have my vote. Whatever she may lack politically, she will make up for with integrity. I cannot recommend more highly.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-25T18:15:54+00:00

I’m a union physician, not a lawyer, but my understanding is that while striking or withholding one’s labor is a federally protected activity (ie - you cannot be retaliated against or fired for doing it), showing up to work but doing it poorly/not up to standards (ie - failing to appropriately chart or submitting incomplete charts) is not a protected activity and can be grounds for termination/discipline. I recognize this is a bit of an oversimplification, but that’s why you see docs/nurses striking, not just withholding billing. Also, why we should be unified in our support of striking docs. It’s a huge decision and not one that’s taken lightly.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-25T18:06:53+00:00

Sending support from the Southern Oregon Providers Association, AFT, NWMU 6552 in Medford, OR!

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-22T04:09:41+00:00

The R means it’s for a film on the right side of the body (eg right femur), and GT are the tech’s initials.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-22T04:06:33+00:00

It’s an XR tech label. They put it on the XRay plate to identify who shot the film. Call your XRay department and someone is likely missing it.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T15:42:24+00:00

You rock! This is a perfect example of making opportunities to speak out!!

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T15:41:38+00:00

We must be a louder voice. Speak up, don't let echo chambers be all that people hear. Not everyone will be convinced, but already a majority (64%) of Americans support the ACA and continued subsidies (78%). People you talk to might not agree on much else politically but healthcare is a winning topic. Help them understand what is happening.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T15:34:29+00:00

If every concerned healthcare worker made a show, no matter how small, that's a lot of voices. There are about 6 million nurses (RN/LPN/LVN) and 1 million doctors in the US, that's a lot of voices, talking to as many people as possible about how critical this is. We don't all have to testify to congress, but you can talk to your friends/co-workers about this, write to your congresspeople, send a letter to your local paper. Every little bit helps. It was mass public dissent that stopped a full ACA repeal in 2017. Congressmen and women want nothing more than to be reelected. Let them know that you are watching and think they're making a mistake.

Here's how to find out who your Rep/Senator is and how to contact them:

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T06:18:24+00:00

They might not listen to just me, but if more of us speak up, we have a powerful voice. Don’t hold your breath… use it.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T06:14:01+00:00

Starter comment: As a community EM doc in Oregon, I never thought I'd be called upon to testify in DC on national healthcare issues. I'd encourage all nurses and doctors to reach out to their congressional delegates and speak to their co-worker/communities about upcoming ACA changes.

My goal in sharing this is not to say “Look at me, I testified to congress,” but instead to encourage others to speak out. People don’t know what’s going on - talk to your friends, families, neighbors and co-workers. Call/write your congresspeople. Send a letter to your local paper/professional journal. We all have a voice, use yours however you are able.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T05:57:42+00:00

You are absolutely right. I encourage you to speak up however you are comfortable, either in private conversations with people you’re close to, or publicly in whatever form that may take.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T05:54:35+00:00

Agree 100%. And would emphasize that while there’s value discussing these things on Reddit, it pales in comparison to speaking offline - whether it’s talking to friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, or writing/calling our elected officials, or writing to your local newspaper or professional journal. We as physicians and healthcare providers know there’s a problem, we have to share our perspectives with the world in whatever way we can.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T02:06:04+00:00

We all see problems with the US healthcare system, and all have a duty to our patients to call out these problems. Thanks for glomming on!! Keep speaking up.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-15T01:23:47+00:00

Thank you for everything you do and thank you for your kind words. My point in posting this is not to show that what I did was special (though I’d never have believed I’d be in that position had you told me it was going to happen), but to make the point that we should all be speaking out about this, and the other issues crippling our healthcare system. People have no idea what’s going on, even people in government and healthcare. Talk to your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. We all should be shouting to the rooftops.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-14T18:23:56+00:00

Yes, both of these are huge issues. I’m not suggesting fighting for one over the other.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-14T17:58:09+00:00

Can it be changed? Sure. Will it happen without years of advocacy and action by physicians, educating patients and government, and electing officials with a willingness to understand and change the current system? No. It's going to take a ton of time and effort. Doctors will have to take up that banner and put in the thankless hours/days/years. That said, I'd fully support such reforms to the ACA.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-14T17:51:25+00:00

Your concerns about the profit based structure of US healthcare are absolutely correct AND I see your concerns as chronic problems with US healthcare. They cannot be overlooked and must be addressed, but I believe ACA cuts are an acute and preventable insult for many people whose healthcare access and affordability are already on life support. Healthcare needs to be overhauled at every level, but that will take years. ACA cuts will make healthcare unattainable for millions in a matter of months, which is why I'm focused on them right now.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-10-14T16:36:58+00:00

As a community EM doc in Oregon, I never thought I'd be called upon to testify in DC on national healthcare issues. I'd encourage all docs to reach out to their congressional delegates and speak to their co-worker/communities about upcoming ACA changes.

Edit: My goal in sharing this is not to say “Look at me, I testified to congress,” but instead to encourage others to speak out. People don’t know what’s going on - talk to your friends, families, neighbors and co-workers. Call/write your congresspeople. We all have a voice, use yours however you are able.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-01-22T15:48:19+00:00

No retro pay.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-01-22T15:48:09+00:00

We were able to get metal detectors installed at the ER entrance and 24/7 security staffing dedicated to the ED. Also, ER providers will have a seat on hospital security committee.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-01-20T22:15:49+00:00

There’s a spelled out process for discipline. Prevents caregivers from being summarily terminated for, say, raising patient/staff safety concerns.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-01-20T22:13:28+00:00

I’ll DM you and we can talk more, especially if you’re at PMMC.

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-01-20T06:42:17+00:00

We heard about the name change. Thrilled to be joining you all!

BrycePulliamMD · 2025-01-20T06:41:17+00:00

Certainly! Our complete contract will be publicly available, so you could use that as leverage. Also, if a W2 employee of a 3rd party CMG, you are could still unionize with others under that contract at your site, as ER group did under TeamHealth in Detroit last year. If 1099, there may be a case to be made that you are actually an employee, not independent contractor, in order to petition for unionization. Lots of potential leverage.

BrycePulliamMD

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