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American Medical Association breaks with tradition, endorses House version of reform legislation — MedCity Morning Read, July 20, 2009

The traditionally conservative American Medical Association late last week endorsed the House version of health care legislation, called America’s Affordable Health Choices Act. A competing doctors’ association called foul. A nurses’ association says, “go further.”

By Mary Vanac on July 20, 2009

CHICAGO, Illinois — The traditionally conservative American Medical Association late last week endorsed the House version of health care legislation, called America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, according to the Associated Press at Google News. The legislation calls for a health insurance exchange — a marketplace where government-sponsored health care plan that would compete with private insurance plans.

The nation’s largest doctor group sent three letters, one to each of three House committees sponsoring the legislation, signed by Dr. Michael Maves, the association’s executive vice president. It was the strongest evidence yet that groups are lining up behind President Barack Obama, who has vowed to fix health care — and that, a group with a checkered past onhealth reform, the AP said.

 AMA President Dr. James Rohack explains his association’s endorsement in a video at its Web site:

“Last month, physician delegates from all medical specialty and state societies voted for the AMA to support health system reform proposals that are consistent with the principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice and universal access for patients. Based on that policy, and after thorough review of HR 3200, the AMA announced its support for health reform legislation released by the three committees of the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill’s called America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, and it’s going to provide health insurance coverage for 97 percent of Americans and eliminate coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions.

“The bill also repeals the fatally flawed Medicare physician payment formula that projects steep cuts of about 40 percent over the next five years. Now, these cuts would have forced physicians to limit the number of seniors they treat right as the Baby Boomers begin aging into Medicare. It’s a solid start to achieving health reform this year that makes a positive difference for patients and physicians. The status quo is unacceptable, so let me be clear. Without a bill that can pass the House, there is no health reform this year. But the debate is far from over. The AMA is going to be at the table to improve the final legislation, including pushing for medical liability reform. Now, to the physicians of America I say, ‘Together, we are stronger.’ And to the patients of America I say, ‘We’re working to make the health care system better for you.’ “

The AMA’s endorsement should not be minimized. The association has been fighting government efforts to establish universal coverage — insurance for everyone — since the 1930s, according to BNET Healthcare. Meanwhile, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, a smaller doctors’ association, said the AMA sold out doctors and patients for a few dollars by supporting government medicine. And the California Nurses Association praised an amendment to the House legislation by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat, that would enable states to go a step beyond a government option to adopt single-payer, Medicare-for-All style reforms.

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