AMA Reverses Position, Says Open To Government-Funded Insurance

CNN:

(CNN) -- The new president of the American Medical Association, which represents the interests of the nation's doctors, said Wednesday the group is open to a government-funded health insurance option for people without coverage.

Dr. J. James Rohack told CNN that the AMA supports an "American model" that includes both "a private system and a public system, working together."

Read the whole story: CNN

Comments

[Cunningham]

Only single-payer covers EVERYONE.

It's obscene and amoral to profit from sickness, injury, and disease.

We must DEMAND and keep demanding single-payer.

[windup]

Looks like the doctors themselves are bringing the AMA into line. Good for them.

[Mikeeee]

Next time you visit your doctor, check their wall, if you see an AMA plaque on it, just sigh and give them a HMM while looking at the plaque and a second thought that maybe their interests aren't yours.

[Interested Party]

As a Canadian, I can say the single payer system works well and we use Blue Cross/Blue Shield when we travel as 'extra' insurance but even that is covered if you submit a claim. But at a minimum, a public option is mandatory. All those Dems, like Liberman who are against the Public Option should be 'helped' out of office!

[arspar183]

Many of the talking heads.(MTP's Gregory for one) have been critical of Obama for not saying public health care reform must include a public option. Obma knows that if he says that and draws a line in the sand on the public option , then the discussion would be over . He's letting public pressure carry the message for him. Slowly but surely others will come around to the public option.

[SammyGone]

Our sincere thanks to a community organizer from Chicago.

[ntmessage]

This article frames the AMA with a misleading statement that "the American Medical Association, (which) represents the interests of the nation's doctors" wholly neglects to acknowledge that real practicing doctors have been fleeing the AMA for years, as the AMA has turned itself into a perverse hybrid lobbying group that supports insurers, HMOs and even the tobacco Industry and does little for practicing doctors or anyone else involved in the direct application of health care.

I am sure that all of the three minute long commercials for drugs we do not need, or entire segments paid for the by the industry to promote new products under the guise of news have something to do with this. Perhaps this is why Gupta would challenge the facts in Sicko with incorrect data.

CNN seems to have been bought by the Industry for years. It is likely they are part of the problem and no way part of the real solution to the people.

[Keith52]

"...open to a government-funded health insurance option FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT COVERAGE."

"a private system and a public system, WORKING TOGETHER."

Hmmmm. Lots of weasels going on there.

[MissingAmerica]

It was said in an ad last night that this insurance would take the care we receive away from doctors and put it in the hands of government, ergo it would seem that the current way of private insurers should be retained. Problem is that the private insurers are the ones ruling right now.

For me, when I took prescription medication it was not the doctor who determined when I could refill. In fact, my insurance company would notify me when the time came. If I needed anything, it had to be run by the insurance company who would then suggest cheaper substitutes.

I have a dear friend on Medicare who can't even find a doctor, because their allowable charges are much less than the doctors charge and they say payment is slow. As a result, we both choose a naturopathic approach to treatment, cutting out the doctors and pills altogether.

We need something and just pray to God that it's been thought out enough to actually work.

[propitiousmoment]

My mother was trying to treat her high blood pressure with brandy and cloves, she ended up in the emergency room with blood pressure numbers that I will not print because you will not believe them. The doctor actually could not believe she was still alive. I am sceptical of the overuse of drugs in our medical culture, but I would not go so far as to avoid doctors and mainstream treatment altogether if at all possible. Please be careful.

[WorkingClass]

In our for profit health care system, the doctors interest is opposite the patients interest. Screw the AMA.

[olmossy]

Someone correct me if I missed something ,but isn't Rohack saying that the tax payers should just buy private Insurance from, lets say Blue Cross/Blue Shield, for all those unable to pay for their own Insurance.
All the Government Emloyees I know have Private Insurance co. insurance. Doesn't Concress have this same plans?

Isn't that the Windfall for insurance companies the President Obama spoke against ?

[anothervoice2]

BC/BS is about as unaffordable as private HMO plans. Not that much cheaper.

[ProgressiveInTexas]

Federal Goverment Employees are NOT covered by private Insurance.

The Federal Goverment "Self-Insures" and only contracts to private companies in each State to process Claims.

It may Say BC/BS on ones insurance card, but the connection ends there.

The big difference is that the private companies are make money based on claims PROCESSED and PAID.

[olmossy]

Thanks , Never realized this. Well it works fine for Gov employees, should work for everyone.
Though I thought it would be cheaper with a Gov.backed and administered plan.

[CharlesofPortAngeles]

The Pursuader-in-Chief ROCKS AGAIN!

[rockyb26]

I think they got an earful from their members after they exposed themselves as money grubbing naysayers. After they released their statement a few weeks ago, I sent them a letter explaining why I would not renew my membership and why they should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring the needs of patients and the many doctors that care for them and support a public option. I encouraged all of my physician colleagues to do the same too. Hopefully enough of us did it, hence this new position.

I still don't trust them as far as I can throw them though.

[rchwel]

I agree with you, I do not trust the AMA, insurance companies or the pharms, they will do anything they can to make sure universal health fails as they have for the past 60 years .

[olmossy]

Left out the AARP , they are looking out for their own Ins..Plan.

[tarryd]

It is important because the MSM has lead Americans to believe that the AMA represents "America's doctors." Not true, only 29% belong to the AMA. The NPA (National Physicians Association) represents far more doctors. And the NPA has always been in support of a public option. A number of doctors have been resigning from the AMA and protesting internally over the groups stand on the public option so I would bet this is also a matter of self preservation..... they are a lobbying group after all.

[olmossy]

Good point about AMA being a lobbying group. I don't see AARP much differently.

[getoffmedz]

The AMA can read the handwriting on the wall. The grip that greed, sloth and lack of humanity has on the entire medical situation in our country is GOING AWAY.

Good for the AMA.