Most Docs Favor National Health Insurance

[Celebration]

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2008/tc20080331_551691.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_top+story

Most U.S. doctors now support the idea of national health insurance, a shift from a half-decade ago, when less than half favored a national system, a new survey has found. According to a study published in the Mar. 31 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, 59% of the nation's physicians support federal legislation to establish national health insurance, often referred to as a single-payer system. These plans usually involve a single, federally administered fund that guarantees health-care coverage for everyone, much like Medicare currently does for seniors, and eliminates or substantially lessens the role of private insurers. In a similar survey five years ago, only 49% favored it. Thirty-two percent of doctors oppose universal coverage, down eight points from the previous survey, while 9% are neutral.

As the 2008 election draws near, the country's health-care system is once again top of mind for voters. The leading candidates have drawn up plans for addressing what they consider flaws in a system that has left 47 million people uninsured—although none is calling for a single-payer system (BusinessWeek.com, 9/17/07). Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) proposes a mandate requiring everyone to purchase health insurance, with subsidies and affordable federal insurance available, while Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) stops short of mandates but does support affordable federal insurance. Obama leads Clinton in winning delegates who have pledged to back his bid for the Democratic nomination. The presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Senator John McCain, backs tax credits for the purchase of health insurance, similar to what the American Medical Assn. (AMA) proposes.

The findings signal a sea change in the attitude of the medical establishment toward universal care. Throughout the 20th century, U.S. doctors have been among the fiercest and most influential opponents of national insurance, citing concerns of a meddlesome bureaucracy, a loss of independence, and lower reimbursements. Lobbying by the AMA and other professional groups scuttled efforts to introduce universal coverage by several Presidents, starting with Calvin Coolidge and continuing through Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. Back in 1948, after Truman was elected in part on a platform of compulsory health insurance, the AMA urged its members to "resist the enslavement of the medical profession." That attitude held constant for decades.

[gateley]

1. It's the insurance industry that doesn't.

And it concerns me that other than Dennis, NONE of the candidates endorsed it. :(

[Benhurst]

2. Amen!

Hilary? Barack? About time to get on board. The train is leaving the station.

[gateley]

3. I understand there needs to be a transition --

we can't just change horses in the middle of the stream -- but they're not presenting their plans as interim measures... :(

[Delphinus]

4. Yes. HR 676

Conyers introduced it (IIRC) in 2003 and still only 100 Representatives have signed onto it.

Medicare for all - it's the only way.

The two plans put forth by the candidates are all about the insurance industry - nothing about the people.

[Jim__]

5. "... citing concerns of a meddlesome bureaucracy, a loss of independence, and lower reimbursements."

Doctors have already lost that fight to the insurance companies.

[Justitia]

6. Here's what docs are saying about the failure of mandated insurance in MA

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2008/january/doctors_give_massach.php

They are saying that single-payer is the way to go.