so you are saying medicare pays the doctor for writing prescriptions? directly he/she gets nothing. without the RX writing privelage and the available drugs, there would be very little reason to see a doctor except for broken bones and minor ailments so indirectly they definately benefit since you have to usually visit a doc to get the initial RX but you don't have to see them for refills for a year. sure some docs get perks from drug companies/salespeople and might benefit owning stock in drug companies. but sometimes maybe the patient benefits?