If Obamacare really called for the creation of "death panels," the first victim of these invented tribunals would have been Marcus Welby, MD, the 1960s TV character.

Obamacare envisions that doctors will close their private offices to become salaried hospital employees, making it easier for the feds to regulate them and centrally manage the costly medical services they prescribe.

In 2005, more than two-thirds of medical practices were doctor-owned. By next year, the share of practices owned by physicians will probably drop below 40 percent.

So the next time you see your doctor, it may be far from home in an office park built by your nearest hospital, thanks to Obamacare. Marcus Welby is taking down his shingle. He's becoming an employee of General Hospital.

James Vosler

Hilton Head Island