I have long known that my physician colleagues are in support of sweeping health system reform. We are aghast at the rising number of uninsured. We are angry about our treatment by the private health insurers. We are tired from our endless dealings with paperwork, automated phone systems, arbitrary rules and unqualified insurance company clerks. We want reform and WE WANT IT NOW!
Yesterday's New England Journal of Medicine article providing empiric evidence of the support of 73% of all physicians for a public option or a single payer is the tip of the iceberg of the evidence that physicians support reform and the public options. Three professional societies which represent 283,000 primary care physicians have all endorsed HR 3200. In their own words:
American College of Physicians. Representing 129,000 Internal Medicine physicians.
July 15, 2009 Letter to the House HELP Committee
Dear Chairmen:
On behalf of the 129,000 internal medicine physician and medical student members of the American College of Physicians, I am writing to express our appreciation and support for the many policies in the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, H.R. 3200, to provide Americans with access to affordable coverage, ensure a sufficient number of primary care physicians, and institute payment and delivery system reforms to help physicians produce the best possible outcomes for patients. ACP is the second largest physician membership organization in the United States. Our initial review of H.R. 3200 as introduced on July 14th, is that it is closely aligned with ACP’s top priorities for health reform. Accordingly, ACP supports approval of the bill by the three House committees, and following mark up, we expect to recommend passage of H.R. 3200 by the full House of Representatives, pending review of any amendments made by the committees. As noted below, there are several issues that we ask be addressed during the mark-up to ensure that the payment reforms to support primary care accomplish the desired goals.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Representing 94,000 Family Physicians.
July 16, 2009 Letter from the AAFP to the House HELP Committee
Dear Chairmen:
On behalf of the 94,600 members of the American Academy of Family Physicians, thank you for the positive steps you have taken toward broader, affordable coverage that will mean improved health care based on primary care. We believe that the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) will make significant progress toward payment and delivery system reforms and contribute to building a primary care workforce for the future. AAFP supports this legislation and we will be pleased to work with your committees to improve it further.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Representing 60,000 Pediatricians.
August 3, 2009 AAP Statement on U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Passage of H.R. 3200
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which represents 60,000 pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and surgical specialists, praises the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for its vote today on H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, and applauds all three House Committees for their continued and steadfast work in the effort to pass significant health care reform.
“The Academy continues to support the process of bringing comprehensive health care reform to America’s children. While there is still work to be done, H.R. 3200 makes significant progress in achieving the Academy’s priorities of covering all children in the United States, providing children with age-appropriate benefits in a medical home, and establishing appropriate payment rates to guarantee children have access to covered services.
And finally, the AMA????
American Medical Association
July 16, 2009 AMA Supports H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009"
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.
Who will Congress listen to? These "mainstream" physicians have expressed their choice. Progressive physicians are calling for single payer.
Is Congress going to cave in to the for profit health insurance industry? Or, are they going to listen to the people who provide the care?
I want to know!