The AMA doesn’t speak for the AMA
Thursday, July 16 2009
Looks like the American Medical Association finally came around on health reform; they’ve endorsed the House bill, by far the strongest of the three proposals currently in play:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association, I am writing to
express our appreciation and support for H.R. 3200, the “America’s Affordable Health
Choices Act of 2009.”
If you think that means doctors are now in favor of health reform – well, not so fast. A number of state medical societies have announced their opposition to the AMA’s letter:
As many as 20 state medical societies have drafted a letter to congressional leaders that breaks with an endorsement of the bill today by its umbrella group the American Medical Society….
“We adamantly oppose” the so-called public option “as inconsistent with quality medical care and the principles of freedom and liberty that lie at the heart of our form of government and our society,” according to a draft of the letter obtained by The Washington Post.
These are actual medical doctors, rising up in defense the insurance industry’s right to kill you by neglect – with no explanation as to whether or how that position is consistent with our “principles of freedom and liberty”, much less “quality medical care”. If I found out one of my doctors was part of this effort, I’d have a really hard time trusting my health to him or her. In fact, I don’t think I could. Maybe that’s a question it’s time I should start asking.
The cost of providing healthcare services is higher than what Medicare/Medicaid/Public Option will pay. If only those options existed, the amount of healthcare services would be dramatically cut in this country because of the number of newly bankrupt practices that would result. I do not see that as a viable option.
I think you’re right, it is a question that we need to start asking and a decision that physicians should pay for if they are against us.