Doctors Demonstrate for Public Option in Health Care Reform

In Santa Rosa, CA., on August 20, 2009, over 50 physicians and other health care professionals gathered to demonstrate by holding signs and chanting slogans for the public and passing motorists, to promote the inclusion of a Medicare-like public option in the government's proposed health care reform. This video includes some flavor of the roadside demonstration, and part of a more complete statement by a senior and esteemed local physician, John R. Shearer, M.D. as to what the political situation really is and why we desperately and unequivocally must have a robust, Medicare-like, public option for this reform to be meaningful.

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[Quintessentguy]

A poll just out says 3 out of 4 doctors favor a national public plan. They are tired of a system that favors the insurance companies and let's people fall between the cracks, resulting in needless suffering and death.  Every 2 months, more people than died on 9/11 die from lack of health care. Where is the national outrage over the loss of those people?

[Idawa61]

nice, thanks for your support but right now the trillionaires won on healthcare

[Smartassawhip]

Many of the people who don't have it can't get it because they have prexisiting conditions.. it has nothing to do with money for them. The premiums for the public option will be based on income and there will be several plans to choose from. Of course the bigger and better the plan the more it will cost. It is just like regular insurance in that regard. Because there is less overhead it will be far less expensive. The private insurance companies will have to compete and lower their costs.

[jensen1901]

Why can't the media cover this? All I see on TV is idiots in town halls who know nothing about the health care system and how it works being quoted. Why don't they talk to doctors and nurses?

[post105]

Smartasswhip - I started listening to the bill, and it doesn't make any sense - If it isn't free. then how do the people without insurance right now pay for it?

[Smartassawhip]

I think it is really sad that you have been lead to believe things that are nothing more than paranoia. I can assure you that nobody is going to be playing doctor.. and I don't know where you got the idea that this was going to be a handout or even free for that matter... besides that you are free to keep what you have or choose something else even nobody is being forced to choose the public option. If you don't want to read the bill you can now listen to it. I have the link in my copmments.

[post105]

Smartassawhip - Well... I have a little different opinion, in that I would want to have more of an option when it came to choosing a decent doctor instead of getting stuck with a witchdoctor that used to be an auto mechanic, or steelworker, or something. And not everyone wants a free handout, or something for nothing - as you were saying...

[blacknosugarnocream]

Oh' the horror of DOCTORS caring LESS about money and more about healing the sick. They must be COMMUNIST or something.

[Smartassawhip]

Some doctors actually care more about their patients than they do their paychecks. That is the kind of doctor I would like to have should I ever need one.