The hovering vultures: how greedy physicians prey upon patients.

• Author: Inlander, Charles B.

They are more interested in lining their pockets than providing competent medical care, often performing unnecessary procedures at outrageous costs.

In the desert, when a distressed animal is on the verge of death, vultures gather above. This hovering horde of bone pickers sense, with great precision, the near-terminal condition of the creature. Patiently, with uncanny determination, the birds plot their moves. Then, at the very minute they witness the last gasp of their would-be feast, they strike. In short order, they have engorged their victim, ravenously consuming everything edible that hangs from the carcass. Finally, they depart, but behind they have left a warning, maybe meant as a boast. Scattered across the desert floor are the bones of their prey. Left to decay in the hot sun, they remain as a sign to the rest of us that another creature is just waiting to take advantage of our suffering.

Not all vultures operate in the desert, nor are they all winged creatures of the Cathartidae family, identified by their dark plumage and naked head and neck. Some can be identified by their white coats, luxurious automobiles, and average after-tax income of $120,000. Many have the initials M.D. or D.O. after their name. They often are spotted at meetings of local or state medical societies. Many migrate to warm-weather resorts in the winter or to Chicago in the summer - the nesting sites of the American Medical Association's conventions.

Even if you do not spot these vultures visually, you may hear them. They often perch on radio talk shows or leave their verbal droppings in the local newspaper. While their chirping tune can vary, it generally is recognized by complaints about Medicare reimbursement, patients' lawsuits, failure of consumers to understand how tough it is for birds of their feather, and the lack of respect most mortals have for such an important species. Indeed, it is this species - the Vulture Medicus - who today pose a very serious threat to most American consumers.

While economists are in dispute about whether we remain in a recession, the Vulture Medicus continues to stalk its prey, having spotted indicators on the nightly news. The stock market is highly volatile. Oil prices are creeping back up. Housing starts remain at long-time lows. Interest rates are down, meaning invested income earns less. Unemployment still is rising. Companies are delaying expansion. Truck and auto manufacturers are shutting down plants. Steel manufacturers are hurting and making joint deals with foreign competitors. To the Vulture Medicus, these signs are a call to...