Liberal docs counter the A.M.A. and their efforts to squash healthcare reform.

[jefferson_dem]

Liberal docs counter the A.M.A.
Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2009 5:27 PM by Domenico Montanaro

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Per the New York Times, the American Medical Association threw down the gauntlet this week with a statement opposing a public-government insurance option. The statement, in the form of comments submitted to the Senate Finance Committee, says such an option “threatens to restrict patient choice by driving out private insurers.”

But the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, wants you to know that the AMA doesn’t speak for all physicians. Doctors for America, a left-leaning organization of approximately 12,000 doctors, joined CAP today in telling reporters it fully supports a public/government option.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, president of Doctors for America, said physicians “see every day examples of how the private-insurance industry is failing our patients.”

Murthy did acknowledge the enormous influence of the 250,000-member AMA, but urged Americans to look deeper than the opinions of industry leaders.

“We are a grassroots organization,” Murthy said. “It’s important to see what the physicians on the ground are saying.”

Despite his fierce advocacy for a public/government option, Murthy did leave open the possibility of a compromise. When asked about his thoughts on the co-op plan proposed by Sen. Kent Conrad, Murthy said he cared less about what the plan was called and more about how it helped patients.

“If there are options on the table that Congress would like to consider, and they want the input of physicians,” he said, “we would be willing to provide that input.”

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http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/11/1962409.aspx

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Cha]

2. This might have some meaning

if the system were good now or even not bad..

"..threatens to restrict patient choice by driving out private insurers.”

[wroberts189]

4. And isn't interesting they never mention explain why ..

or how the private insurers would be driven out ?

A little less patient choice? That's the big reason they are opposed ? Right...you betcha. I just love having to choose between complicated expensive health care plans.

Woops .. have a pre-existing condition? NO CHOICE FOR YOU

They are desperate for a talking point and using one that fully exposes them once examined.

This is so transparent. Its all about saving the profits of the big insurance companies.. not saving "choice" ..give me a break.

Meanwhile the insurance corps are spending millions on lobbying to kill any reform. Why spend millions? So you can save your billions in profit continuing to overcharge and denying any care they can.

This all goes back to Nixon .. where he is actually taped being sold and convinced on HMO's ..at first he thinks its socialized medicine and hates it ..until it is in no uncertain terms explained to him as a private profit based system based on the denial of care...or so called "managed care". Then he likes it...

[boppers]

3. I think they really mean:

"Threaten the income of our membership".

[wroberts189]

5. Not sure if you know but unbelievably the AMA did admit that as another reason. nt