A Message from AMA President Dr. Rohack on Health Reform Bill in U.S. House of Representatives

[illhavemine]

Nice comments from the president of the AMA. Wait and see his tune change when the public option gets slipped in and Obama's wish for a one payment system becomes reality. The 25 members of Obama's healthcare committee than get to choose how much the doctors get reimbursed. Then the age factor comes into play, i.e., at one point does a seniors age become prohibited for extending treatment. It's all coming down on us.

[nonamadoc]

There is no need to introduce a govt-backed insurance plan into our health care system. It will simply out-compete the private insurance plans until it is the only choice left. MDs are heavily under-reimbursed by Medicare and this new govt plan will do the same. It will further reduce physician salaries, making the profession highly unattractive to talented college graduates. No promising college grad with a brain will agree to enter 8+ yrs of intense education at age 22 for a penurious salary.

[jlongbine]

Yay health care reform!!! I'm so glad the AMA is behind this bill, it really shows how ignorant some people are. If the drs of this country are behind this bill, then we should be also!!! It's not socialist to want to take care of your countrymen in a time of need!! I wonder why 99% of the people who complain about this bill are people who have or are able to get health insurance? I can tell you why... because they just don't give a shit about their fellow man anymore. What a shame.......

[secondstone]

You may not care about Canada, but we have universal health care and we're not socialists or ultra-capitalistic. Guess what? In Canada we get to have universal health care and pay for additional private coverage. What's wrong with having the FREEDOM to choose what you pay into? Oh yes the US is not the only free country in the world, look the north. And Canada is a good model, we're not homogenous, quite multicultural in fact.

[liberal4ever]

I'd really like to see a poll of American physicians and RN's regarding what type of reforms they'd like to see- single payer? HR 3200? tort reform & HSA's? I'm sure they don't like all the money poured down the drain every year to insurance company stock holders.

[MD2B2009may]

As a physiican in training, I want to say 1) the AMA is more of a political organization than a healthcare society. don't be fooled by statistics such as the WHO rankings. You can't compare America to most other countries. What other country has such a mixed population such as ours? They are very homogenous populations and it makes a huge difference. Also, much of American's higher spending on healthcare is due to things such as our higher per capita income

[arizonared2000]

Since your in training to be a Physician, I want to hear what you have to say after your in the profession for a few years if we keep the status quo. I've been in high dollar treatment healthcare finance for 24 years fighting these insurance companies. Good luck with your career.

[MaggieMagnolia1]

What AMA and Obama is saying is that we can have a health care system that covers all Americans that isn't the same as Canada or England - an American solution.

[MizBellaTru]

I saw Sicko (by Michael Moore) a few days ago on my FIOS and boy what an eye opener that was. After seeing this film where they interviewed so many Americans who have moved to England, France, Canada, etc., and hearing it first-hand from these Americans about the high-quality care they receive, no long waits in ER rooms, low-cost prescriptions. It's no wonder our Insurance companies are fighting us moving toward a socialized system. See that documentary if at all possible!!!

[MaggieMagnolia1]

Glad AMA is supporting reform in a thoughtful way - and not just partisan knee jerk

[Smartassawhip]

Most bankruptcies in the US are due to overwhelming medical bills and most of them are people who had insurance. With the cost of insurance one would think this should not be the case.

[Smartassawhip]

The USA has the "BEST SPECIALISTS" but our Health Care System stinks and is ranked as the Low 37th on a World Scale !! It's like saying "THE USA WON THE MOST GOLD MEDALS IN THE OLYMPICS ... SO THE ENTIRE AMERICAN POPULATION IS MADE OF TOP ATHLETES! I believe we can do better.

[texasense]

our health care system is not as bad as people say . One problem is people dont value their health. They rather spend their money on expensive cell phone, cable TV , vacations, booze, cigarretes, hair and makeup, cars, dating........than one their health expenses. Even the uninsured have nice cell phones, cable tv, wear nice clothes, etc.

[trajoj]

It's very interesting to read peoples comments on this video.

[thesepipesRclean]

I think it is hillarious that people are saying " how can we pay for a socialist healthcare program " . Canada does , france does , Italy does . Guess what , they also pay less tax over all . Some try to confuse this by saying look how high their income tax is . The truth is in the USA we pay 60 cents on every dollar in some kind of a tax . That puts us at about 15th highest taxes in the world . All of the countries that pay more go to college and get health care for free!!

[snowtop38]

We are number 37 in Health Care in the World, (WHO) stats. We need to bury GREED before we reform anything

[tenischik9]

My husband just dropped his AMA membership after 25 years. I can't believe they are pushing this bill. Only 25% of doctors still belong to the AMA, so they don't speak for many doctors especially the specialists. This bill will eventually put everyone in a "qualified plan" that is approved by the government. Then the govenment holds the decision making controls over what health care procedures and medicine you are allowed to have.

[Buckybuck3]

The government isn't equipped withthe ability or the funds to successfully "govern" a socialist health care system.  It hasn't worked anywhere elee. Why sign on to a proven failure?

[agfillion1]

The AMA is a sell out, same as GE. Hoping to ride on the coat tails of government and be rewarded just as the unions are. Such a good little government organization.

[mamamia0709]

You are wrong. I don't believe the gov't can do this correctly or efficiently. They can't run the programs they have now and they continue to increase taxes (payroll, consumer, corporoate, individual) to try and pay for all of their programs.

Man is not free unless government is limited!

[macman2345]

Well, let's give the AMA some credit for going out on the limb to support Obama and democrats. That is a huge cultural shift for them and as the comments below note, not without some big risks. Actually, the real problem is that trying to put money into a flawed system is a waste. Let's start over and do it right. Properly financed, single payer, not for profit, national health insurance now.

[agfillion1]

I smell money in someone's pockets!!! Nobody believes the gov't can do this correctly. I remind you that 12 million of these 50 million uninsured people make $75K/year and have opted out of health ins. Another 10 million already qualify for medicaid but have declined to sign up. A bit of tort reform will help lower medical costs. And some regulation over pharmaceutical companies.

[dsmithx3]

Looked like the AMA is full of Socialists. As a physician I do not support the AMA nor do I know of any physicians who do. There are pleanty of things that need fixed but going Socialist is throwing the baby out with the bathwater

[mamamia0709]

How and why should we pay for this? Haven't you contributed to Medicare your entire working life? Where are the funds for those on MCare now? They are out of money for the rest of this year. It does not work and it won't work by taxing the wealthiest of Americans or taxing and penalizing businesses. They've got this wrong and it's not the solution to reform.

[sneedlock]

So Canada keeps up on America's back but it still takes 5 years of accepted practice in the USA before Canada will pay for it. Who will America look to follow? I could continue with dozens of problem issues no one is addressing in the US debate on change.... But reform should come without the gov't insurance option..... or it's all a downward slide into quicksand. end

[sneedlock]

New medical advances will go through major restriction in implementation because now the gov't is paying the bills and it won't do to have people getting care that is controversial or unproven. In order to keep costs down, more and more new procedures will face bureaucratic obstructionism and this is just one area Canada has face. America has been the last place on earth where using human guinea pigs is abhorent but has a balanced patient driven choice system that allows for progress. cont

[sneedlock]

I can't believe you read the bill. I am an American who grew up in Canada and watched the system there have to embrace consequences it never was written to bring about. It has literally killed my mother and denial and rationing of treatment is the end result no matter how the intention begins. there are surprises coming as soon as "the reality of free" reveals run away costs. Trying to be fair is the root of the problem. (cont)

[mamamia0709]

This guy is so ridiculous it was hard to listen to the whole thing.

The U.S. Government DOES NOT BELONG in our healthcare. Look at Medicare for a clue as to how the money end of all of this will go. Not to mention the intrusion into our private lives.  I worked for physician's for 20+ years and the government is the worse to deal with and get payed from.

No Thank You!

[golhart]

first off Medicaid is the biggest culprit, state monitored, Medicare US govt mandated works much better and I also worked in medical billing for 20 years. the biggest problem is the insurance (ALL) red tape that costs so much time and money.

[mamamia0709]

Medicaid is also funded federally. Medicare has reduced payments to the physicians every three years for the last two decades. The private insurances were better payors and more timely. The private insurers pay at a rate that is fair and the problem started with HMO's. Again, another attempt at controlling our healthcare. That hasn't worked out so well either. Doctors didn't want to be told how to administer to their patients. And rightly so.

Man is not free unless government is limited.

[golhart]

yes federally funded but the state governs our policy at least our state does. I still think paperwork is part of the huge problem.

[mamamia0709]

And you think papaerwork will be somehow reduce when the federal gov't is involved at all levels? Maybe so, because they won't care about appeals or extenuating circumstances, it won't matter because they can not sustain the cost of a one-payor plan. Medicare and Medicaid are already out of money for 2009. How is it that they will fund a system for 47 million people not already on the gov't dole?

Sorry, I don't believe in the "Spread the Wealth" philosophy.

[golhart]

no paperwork has increased the costs for all providers, have you worked in the medical field?

[mamamia0709]

Yes, I worked in the medical billing field for 27 years. I worked In Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois. I was a liason for they physicians with the insurance networks and that was after spending 20+ years as a biller, a Medicare and Medicaid speciialist and a trainer for other billers.

Paperwork? What happened to you in the electronic submission age? Not that there isn't any paperwork to do but the Paperwork Reduction Act helped alleviate much of that.

[golhart]

I was talking about med necessity and appeal processes not claims. and pre-auth

[mamamia0709]

Great! And you think that somehow that paperwork will be so greatly reduced by the government take-over of our healthcare system that this somehow reduces the cost? Have you listened to the CBO on the cost of this? They are saying that it is absolutely UNSUSTAINABLE! (con't)

[thesepipesRclean]

I just read what the World Health Oragnization has to say . They rank healthcare in the USA at number 37 out of 191 countries included in their study . Truly pathetic on our part .

[mdhawthorne]

Dr. Rohack, you should hang your head in shame and then surrender your license. Obviously you have NOT read the provisions of H.R. 3200. What about counseling voluntary suicide for the elderly every 5 years (page 425)? What about NOT being able to keep the insurance you have because it will revert to the government plan in 5 years?(pgs 16 -17) I am ashamed of you as an American. Remember, first, do no harm? You, Sir, intend to harm an entire nation.

[tbrookover]

Can you tell me where I can find this bill with page numbers? I want to read the voluntary suicide part...and much more...but I cannot find a copy of the bill that has numbered pages.

[sachaput]

This guy reminds me of the doctor who billed my wife's insurance for a hospital visit he didn't make. She had already LEFT THE HOSPITAL!!!

We do need reform and it includes criminalizing doctors trying to cheat any system they can!

[wizetrader04]

If we fix what's broken then this bill is not going to make it better for "you"

Endorse HSAs, that's change we can believe in . We already pay  the taxes and inflationary costs.

HSA accounts allow you to choose and as a result of your choices keep $ not spent on healthcare

This bill is neither affordable or supports choice

Read the bill pages 14-16;106-108 for starters

[flakrat]

wow, that message was chalk full of nothing, I feel much less knowledgeable about their plan for listening

[bobmann101]

I notice that there is not one person that has explained to us how it is going to be cheaper for us. Are they going to put a cap on what the hospitals can charge for things like $8 for an aspirin, $27 for a bedpan.? Are they going to reign in the trial lawyers? Are they going to tell all illegals, law breakers, " NO MORE BENEFITS"? Follow the money!!!. There was $20.3 million for Palistanians to come here. Why don't they help the US citizens???? {Put the Kool-Aid and WAKE UP!!!!

[kiwicarpenter]

After spending close to 3 years traveling to other countrries, Investigating their Health Care I witness Canada's have many bugs in their system, and they worked them out! Now they are a Effective Healthcare Country. I do agree that Insurance Companies are the PROBLEM! Along with "Hedge Fund Investors who Drive up costs!! I do beleive in the "Single Payer" I would like to Pay My Way $200.00 per month, as long as I get the same "CARE" That Elected Senators/Congress Members get.

[tbrookover]

Congress will still have their own plan. Not this one, to be sure.

[mamamia0709]

Dream on Sister! We aren't going to get the level of care we're used to now. And I want to know why you think our care is so inferior to any other country? I have never had a problem with my healthcare providers and I have been a private payer and an insurance recipient over the years.

I raised two kids without insurance most of their childhoods.

Our government doesn't owe anyone healthcare. Big Mistake thinking that our government should be involved. Huge Mistake!

[MizBellaTru]

I think you would change your turne if you had seen the documentary film, Sicko (by Michael Moore). Until I saw this film, I had thought the same as you - I don't anymore. That film should be a requirement for all Americans to see because most of us have been 'drinking the cool-aid' way too long and need to wake up to how other countries are handling their healthcare (this is from Americans who are over in these countries!). See the film!!!!

[kmpelley]

As a retired public employee, I am glad that we are finally realizing that a public option is the most efficient. I have only heard good things about Canada and other countries that use publicly funded medical care. Why put insurance companies in between the doctor and the patient when we can go to our Congressman when there is a problem. With insurance companies, they pay no attention unless you sue them.

[troddy2]

This is outrageous! Look at Canada or other countries that have socialized medicine today, the health care is horrible.

[thesepipesRclean]

Canadas healthcare is far superior to healthcare in America . The USA ranks about 15th worldwide . That is pretty sad considering we have the most money . I have seen rich people flying to Germany and Sweden just to get decent care . This add however is a joke the AMA is a big part of what is wrong with our system , they are just beaurocrats waiting with their hands out .

[flakrat]

haha, surely you jest

[mamamia0709]

Are you Canadian?

[troddy2]

I am shocked that the AMA would endorse the proposed health reform bill. This is a disgrace. The gov't can't even lead/control many of the functions it is in charge of today, never mind getting into biz it doesn't belong i.e. auto, health care etc. The quality of care will suffer significantly, choice will go away, and if you have read the bill you too would be outraged. Certain medical procedures will not be covered for folks over 59.5.

[GeneMoser]

You know, I began and will end my life with government medicine. It's called "military medicine!" I'm so glad to be back under this system. Calling government medicine "socialized" proves the speaker or writer knows how to confuse, but doesn't know what "socialized" means!

[Jonij66]

It isn't the HEALTH care system that is flawed, it is the INSURANCE system that is severly flawed! Any legislation steering our medical care to a socialized system is a detriment to patients and doctors. Period.

[ferkee]

I'm not sure there is a crisis in medical care. Maney people who can afford insurance choose not to buy it and that should be thier right. but they them should enjoy the results of thier decisions.

[Ric14425]

With what Obama has on the table at this moment,our country CANNOT afford it . Don't rush it , Take the time to do it right.

[GGemma20]

I feel that "most physicians" are not concerned about the patients needs, but about the future of their own practices. Why didn't the "same doctors" work on making the system better before all of this healthcare reform?

Yes, it is critical to proceed with a system that will benefit both the patient and the physician, however, when are the doctors going to step forward and support we the patients, when we are so ill, and need them to do so without being medicated to a point of numb?

Thank you.

[fred369123]

The AMA is a bloated bureaucracy that is completely out of touch with the average doctor. I've resigned my AMA membership because of this.

[vlhamilton]

The AMA has been one of the biggest obstructionists for real health care reform in our nation. Most physicians are not even members of this group! Primary care physicians are the doctors on the front line of health care, and they are almost all FOR a Universal Single Payer Health Care Plan for the United States. The AMA is for the rich doctors who are afraid for their BIG salaries. Shame on all of you!

[hooptiegoo]

What a sell out. Pretending he represents all physicians, I doubt the AMA can say they are supported by 10% of active doctors out of residency. I bet membership dues are way down this next month. Just keep making your money with the CPT codes you sell to insurance companies you Obamabot. This legislation screws the people who provide health care to the American people. Doctors already don't take medicaid and medicare because they go broke.

[rplatt70]

Hogwash . . . this socialist plan will decrease quality, ration care and bust the budget. I'm not sure what the AMA's game is but this is a tragic cop out.

[javestswg]

who are the three percent that wont be covered??? is it me, is it you.. we need 100 percent of americans to be covered ... we need the public option to bring down cost of care and to help our economy.. this is something that must be done.. the leaders of our country could find the money to make war , they find the money to give themselves raises every year.. what about the people....what kind of countries leaders do not want the best for its people.... USA USA

[agfillion1]

These are statist programs and we are becoming such an entitlement culture that we can't stand up and be free individuals anymore and take care of ourselves. I think it is disgusting to give handouts instead of hand ups to people. It's demeaning and breeds laziness. Why are we considering nat'l healthcare if only 20 million out of 300 million are lacking insurance? I say 20 million because the other 30million have voluntarily opted out of coverage so they aren't unable to afford it.

[ArchIIICF]

Sorry, but I do not trust the AMA. You are much too large and powerful. ANY human organization as large and powerful as you are, IS corupted, as power does corrupt, ANY large organization, even churchs. No one could afford to run adds as much as you, no one can be heard but you. GO TO !!