I don't think just because you are a doctor or a lawyer for that matter you are swimming in money. While I don't know any of either proffession in poverety I do know there are (competant) struggling doctors and lawyers. Both proffessions take a lot of education and get a lot of scrutney. My wife a LONG veretan RN in ER and Cardiac has noticed in the past years an increase in 'cover your butt' proceedures and documentation. You would be hard pressed to charge wich was or was not actually medically neccassary, but there is an underlying tone to a lot of things. I don't know how much this raises cost over all or if it even appreciable. I cannot think of a way a doctor can become 'filthy rich' quickly. I have seen it with a lawyer. Walter Umphrey here in Beaumont won a class action asbestos and tobbacco case (he's not an isolated case). Before, this guy was a struggling guy (him and his pertner)..... NOW all of a sudden he is a BRILLIANT suprerman worth a billion dollars give or take a few. Know any doctors hitting it big like that? I can't think of a single one. I don't know many lawyers working nights either (had to throw that in) Doctors do regularly. ALSO Insurance seems to create a hugh pot of money.... it just attracts people wanting a shot at it. Money seems to draw litigation whether its a isurance company or an individual. What are lawyers cuts of the awards these days? There are plenty of spoils to go around on a big settlement. I aggree both proffessions provide a service, both have good ones and bad ones, they are smart people and some make more money than others. But to me it's hard to swallow when a lawyer complains about a doctors salary.