AMA supports House health reform bill

[Enrique]

Source: Reuters

The AM freaking A supports the House version. The fat lady has sung, folks.

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-HealthcareReform/idUSTRE56F5W120090716

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The influential American Medical Association on Thursday said it supported the healthcare overhaul legislation moving through committees in the Democratic-led House of Representatives and urged its approval.

"This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform," AMA executive vice president Michael Maves wrote to the House committee leaders.

In particular, he said, the doctors' group backs the insurance market reforms that seek to expand healthcare coverage and the proposed health insurance exchange. In this exchange consumers would choose between private insurers and a public plan.

He also cited the ban on exclusion from coverage for pre-existing conditions and an increased reliance on primary care doctors.

On federal healthcare programs, the AMA said it welcomed the changes in Medicare health care for the elderly which would include a repeal of the sustainable growth rate formula and the expansion of Medicaid for the poor.

"This year, the AMA wants the debate in Washington to conclude with real, long overdue results that will improve the health of America's patients," he wrote.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-HealthcareReform/idUSTRE56F5W120090716

[Enrique]

1. AMA statement

They could have waited for a watered down Senate version.

They could have qualified their support, spouting anti-reform rhetoric.

But instead, the conservative AMA chose to give unqualified support to the strong House version.

I'm just waiting for my "moderate" senator Bill Nelson to balk at the House version, and then I'll call him and say no, stick with the Pelosi/AMA version, no compromises.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/ama-supports-hr-3200.shtml

AMA Supports H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009"

House bill expands access to high quality, affordable health care for Americans

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the American Medical Association sent a letter to House leaders supporting H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009."

"This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform," said J. James Rohack, MD, AMA president. "We urge the House committees of jurisdiction to pass the bill for consideration by the full House."

H.R. 3200 includes provisions key to effective, comprehensive health reform, including:

Coverage to all Americans through health insurance market reforms

A choice of plans through a health insurance exchange

An end to coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions

Fundamental Medicare reform, including repeal of the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula

Additional funding for primary care services, without reductions on specialty care

Individual responsibility for health insurance, including premium assistance to those who need it

Prevention and wellness initiatives to help keep Americans healthy

Initiatives to address physician workforce concerns

"The status quo is unacceptable," Dr. Rohack said. "We support passage of H.R. 3200, and we look forward to additional constructive dialogue as the long process of passing a health reform bill continues. This is an important step, but one of many steps in the process. The AMA is actively engaged with Congress and the administration to achieve health reform that best meets the needs of patients and physicians. We are committed to passing health reform this year consistent withprinciples of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice, and universal access for patients."

[Javaman]

2. the fix is in. nt

[Hydra]

3. I'm with you

I trust the AMA as far as I can throw them. What are they getting out of this?

[Javaman]

8. they will still get their kick backs from pharma and insurance corps. nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. Ooo-kay...

I've been a vocal supporter of this bill. This endorsement has me re-reading, wondering what I missed.

[dflprincess]

9. Serious question (as I know we've disagreed on this)

does this bill allow providers to opt out of the public program? I'm too tired to control-F my way through 1000+ pages to check that tonight. I thought you might know.

I thought I heard that about the bill (but I could be imaaging that, like I said I'm tired) - if it does that could be the reason they decided to jump on this bandwagon rather than risk something they'll have to accept.

Take comfort knowing that the AMA only represents about 20% of doctors.

[lumberjack_jeff]

10. Yes, it does.

Like medicare or medicaid (or any private insurer, for that matter) providers are under no obligation to accept patients based on their insurance coverage.

That said, a doctor who won't take anyone on medicare, medicaid, ChampVA or the public option, will soon find himself with a diminishing pool of customers.

Also, there are other parts of the bill which standardize paperwork which reduce the incentive for providers to exclude some insurers.

[mattvermont]

5. Then it clearly sucks

I do not want any plan that they endorse.

[quidam56]

6. THE best health care in the world

As a former health care giver, I am shocked and saddened to see what has become of health care in America. $ 1. 4 million is being spent per day in DC by the health care lobbyists so your elected representative is getting taken care of and has quality health care we pay for and can't afford ourselves for our families, I know what is deemed, defended and supported in Tennessee and Virginia as quality health care and clearly profit care comes ahead of patient care. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 MRSA ( methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureas ) is infesting our communities because filthy, uncaring hospitals and emergency rooms are breeding them and spreading them into our schools, homes, restaurants. How many more Americans' will be diseased or die while 74 % of Americans' are begging for health care reform ? More people died in America last year from MRSA complications than AIDS. When MRSA and a flu bug start mixing, it won't be pretty and we are being infected by the very health care system we depend on and trust to keep us safe and healthy. If we had "the best health care" in the world then why does RAM ( Remote Area Medical ) come to Wise County, Virginia year after year so people can go to the fairgrounds and stand in a line like cattle in the hot July sun just to see a health care provider ??? America's health care system is a disgraceful sham !

[Laelth]

7. Lies. They want the mandate.

If everyone is forced, by law, to purchase insurance, their likelihood of getting paid is greater.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Odin2005]

11. Wow, that was unexpected!