American Medical Association Endorses House Health Care Bill
Just a couple weeks ago, the AMA was trying to have it both ways with the public option. The group had long opposed the provision, but in an appearance on CNN, its President J. James Rohack was unable to come right out and say so. Now it seems as if they've gotten over, or at least managed to suppress, their concerns. "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,'" wrote AMA Vice President Michael Maves in a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel.
This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform. We urge members of the House Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means Committees to favorably report H.R. 3200 for consideration by the full House.
You can read the full letter here.
Note, this caveat. "The AMA looks forward to further constructive dialogue during the committee mark-up process. We pledge to work with the House committees and leadership to build support for passage of health reform legislation to expand access to high quality, affordable health care for all Americans." 'Building support' would likely entail weakening the bill in some ways, and it seems likely that with respect to certain provisions, the AMA would be just fine with that. But this is nonetheless a pretty major development.
I'm told that the AMA will be releasing a statement shortly, and I'll pass that along when I receive it.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Holy moley things R moving fast
July 16, 2009 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe the phrase is called
"The wind is on our backs" LET'S DO THIS!
July 16, 2009 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very good sign, this is big. There is no reason to vote against this bill and this goes a long way towards proving that. Oh, and....
"Yes, we can!!!"
July 16, 2009 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only thing better would be the AARP pledging support. I was concerned that the bills were not going to make it, but its looking better and better every day.
July 16, 2009 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fuck the AARP. They are an insurance company themselves and a shill for the thuglicans. Who cares what they think. What have they done for seniors?
July 16, 2009 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stop celebrating and check Barack's back for knives.
This is a head fake. Nothing has happened in the past two weeks to make the AMA turn 180 degrees from a position they've been hardening for 70 years.
But plenty has happened - namely, the transformation of the public option from pie-in-the-sky to a fait accompli - to make the AMA panic into taking desperate measures to kill the public option at all costs.
It's a trap.
July 16, 2009 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Their letter does not include any mention of the public option.
On second thought, you may be right. Caution may be wise.
July 16, 2009 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
This may be fallout from another clever strategy from the Obama team. By keeping mum on it and letting Congress and advocacy groups duke it out, it put groups like the AMA somewhere close to center stage. It allowed the Obama admin to let the issue be framed as the will of the people versus entrenched intrests (AMA, insurance giants) rather than a idealistic crusade on the part of the White House. Now that Obama is throwing his weight behind the movement, it only further serves to highlight those on the fence or opposed. AMA sees the writing on the wall at this point.
July 16, 2009 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The people want it (72%), the docs want it, the nurses want it. Who's left for congress to consider (read Insurance Companies). I'm still bewildered by the fact that every other industrialized nation has a form of universal health care, and it isn't even an issue, whereas almost everyone, from every socio-economic level, agree that our health care system is broken and unsustainable in its present form.
July 16, 2009 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Icing on the cake?
July 16, 2009 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone see Harry and Louise are back?
This time they are for health care.
Amazing what a couple of decades will do.
July 16, 2009 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Am I reading The Onion?
July 16, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This might be a head fake by the Docs but I doubt it. They know as well as anyone that the system is broken and annual, double digit cost increases are unsustainable.
I think ultimately though a lot of MD's are tired of butting heads with the insurance companies. They have had it with having their professional judgement second guessed by some snot-nosed clerk whose knowledge on a medical matter is limited to the entry on the computer screen before them.
It is private insurers who frequently and gladly "come between" patients and their doctors whenever it increases their profits.
July 16, 2009 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hummmmmm.... Sump'n fishy here. Looks good, sounds good, but...what's in it for the AMA?
July 16, 2009 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. They're doing it for the people.
July 16, 2009 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
if AMA supports it I really do wonder if it's good bill. Where's the public option for average Joe?
July 16, 2009 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps other Doctor groups like National Physicians for Health helped persuade them to advocate for secure healthcare for all. Here's a group of those physicians explaining why they think healthcare reform is necessary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-4o-1CtCMY
July 16, 2009 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama can be very persuasive. He could persuade me to do all kinds of things (smile)
I love this President!!!
July 16, 2009 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
dar writes "Looks good, sounds good, but...what's in it for the AMA?"
In addition to what everybody else has said...
Fewer uninsured people = more paying customers.
Even with modest cost-containment (and I guarantee the AMA will fight *that* part of the bill tooth and nail during markup), the House bill will mean doctors will be getting paid for their services, which means more money. Uncharacteristically, the AMA has the sense to realize that this is a cash cow for them.
Peace,
Paul
July 16, 2009 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now doctors are on board.
So are the GOP going to get between the American people and their doctors???
July 16, 2009 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course. They have to protect those underpriveleged insurance companies. That's the GOP way:
"Standing up for the People (who give us money)"
July 17, 2009 7:04 AM | Reply | Permalink