Toledo newspaper investigates tension between doctors, insurance companies

After an eight-month investigation, The Toledo Blade has produced a series of 10 stories, published over the past four days, examining the impact of health insurance on patient care (“Not what the doctor ordered: How health insurance plans shape patient treatment,” The Toledo Blade, Aug. 24-Aug. 27).

The predominant theme of the investigation is that doctors are becoming more frustrated with what they consider unnessary interference from insurance companies. "The decision-making of the physician is being challenged and compromised on a daily basis," said Dr. Warren Muth, a general surgeon in Dayton and president of the Ohio State Medical Association. "We are trying to take care of people. Get out of our way."