I really hope Bernie's endorsement is the American Medical Association

[CoffeeCat]

Would be a total coup.

If the president of the AMA, flanked by a sea of doctors in lab coats, announced that Bernie's healthcare plan was being endorsed by the AMA--that would be amazing.

It would lend credibility to Bernie's plan. It would also be a collective, "ZIP IT!" to the opposition to Bernie's plan. The opposition, which has been out in full force LYING about Bernie's plan and attempting to derail his campaign, with disinformation.

I have no evidence that this is happening, but I think it would be pure gold.

This is what I'm hoping for, but whatever is announced will be fabulous and help Bernie's campaign!

[Armstead]

1. I doubt it -- Universal healthcare is too scary for some

[CoffeeCat]

3. Really? I've never heard that...

...but I'm unclear what doctors as a group think or believe about universal healthcare.

I have a couple of friends who are doctors and they are all for it--lock, stock and barrel. However, they, by no means, represent all doctors.

I would think that most doctors would like to have the health-insurnance companies nuked from orbit.

[Armstead]

15. A lot of doctors individually are for it....But I'm not sure the AMA speaks for them

But I could be wrong.

[Segami]

2. A major medical organization would be

considered a heavyweight endorsement that coincides with his single payer position.

[CoffeeCat]

5. Yes, and Bernie is getting hammered right now about his healthcare plan

I think he will be able to communicate with the American public and set the record straight. Most people know that the lies that are being touted by the Clintons (parents and kids...egads) are ridiculous.

Bernie will be ok. If the endorsement is a heavyweight politician, that would be wonderful too.

Since Bernie's healtcare plan has been front-and-center news--I thought maybe that sparked a big medical organization to jump in and lend a hand.

I guess we'll see.

Regardless, the endorsee--whoever or whatever it is--will be most welcome into the Bernie family!

[SoCalMusicLover]

4. No, Gotta Be A Person

I'm thinking it is a significant political figure.

I could certainly be wrong, but I don't think an organization endorsing him is going to generate a high level of interest by the media or the general public.

Guess we'll know soon.

[CoffeeCat]

6. You may be right...

I like to process and discuss when I'm nervous.

25 minutes until the announcement!

[restorefreedom]

9. i do that too

20 minutes!

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. I agree ...

The AMA is unlikely to endorse a candidate campaigning on cutting the pay of doctors ... Besides, I have never heard of them endorsing any candidate.

I suspect it will be a political figure ... perhaps, even, Elizabeth Warren. That will make DU happy and much of the Left; but, won't net much sense most Bernie supporters were already Warren supporters.

[Fearless]

7. Perhaps a Kennedy.

[restorefreedom]

8. that would be major

the cynic in me says not enough drs are on board yet (just look at the sellout of howard dean)

but it would be great if they did and a total slapdown of all the lies from camp clinton.

[hlthe2b]

10. AMA is hyperpolitical (and frequently hyper-hypocritical)

so, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[CoffeeCat]

13. Do they tend to side with Republicans? (nt)

[hlthe2b]

17. Well, have you heard their leadership say one word re: the interference of medical practice by RWers

including, but not limited to laws requiring physicians to repeat lies (e.g., breast cancer risk from abortion), to require medically unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments (e.g., invasive ultrasounds prior to abortion), to remove freedom of speech (e.g., laws outlawing physicians discussing risk of guns in households with children, depressed teens or elderly), lies about and restriction of contraception.....

On and on and on and on. AMA has, for several decades become is a gutless organization that represents the moneyed establishment issues and not the profession as a whole--and why many physicians refuse to be a member.

[stillwaiting]

11. AMA is Establishment all the way, but you are right, if that happened it would be amazing. nt

[libdem4life]

12. That's an interesting thought. Doctors are increasingly making their own groups because

believe it or not, the day of the one office, one or two doctors is long over. I used to sell into medical offices maybe 10 years ago...outside sales. This was Northern California where Kaiser Permanente is big, but there were numerous doctor's offices closed down. Many left the business because the huge incomes that used to be, were now outweighed by higher overhead, salaries, lower payments through insurance, etc. There weren't as many getting in to the field as it cost so much to get your MD. My niece still uses her entire salary to go for her college loans. Her husband supports the family. That's just wrong.

Kaiser Permanente was the closest I saw to a union, and they did a great job. Even had their own hospitals. You didn't get your "own" doctor always, but the cost was very reasonable and you could always get in. They kind of pioneered the Physician's Assistant...kind of a glorified nurse...who took care of a lot of the routine visits, and then the MDs took the more severe cases. They had a 24/7 nurse line that I used on a number of occasions which would often take the place of a minor office visit (and a day out of school).

In the rural areas now, PAs do a lot, the doctors now use telemedicine, prescribe right there, send it to the pharmacy and you go pick it up or they deliver.

Lots of changes...it could happen.

[CoffeeCat]

14. Which outlet will you watch to get the endorsement info?

CNN seems to have nothing on their front page. Of course.