July 23, 2009
The Medical Association of the State of Alabama, along with a coalition of other medical societies including those in Georgia, South Carolina, Kansas, the District of Columbia, Delaware and New Jersey, has sent a letter to Congressional leaders outlining its opposition to the expansion of government involvement in healthcare proposed by U.S. House Democrats’ healthcare reform bill, HR 3200.
Leaders of both parties in Congress received the coalition letter on July 22 outlining its opposition to the House Democrats healthcare reform bill. President Obama and Democratic leaders are trying to push the more than 1,000-page bill, which creates a new government-run health plan, through Congress before the August Congressional recess. While MASA has long recognized the need for health system reform, MASA President Jorge A. Alsip, MD, says the House Democrats’ bill isn’t a cure-all for America’s healthcare woes.
“While HR 3200 contains some positive reforms, significant flaws remain, and in its present form it will irreparably harm our health care system along with millions of patients,” Dr. Alsip said.
Despite the American Medical Association’s (AMA) endorsement last week of HR 3200, coalition members, who have not severed ties with the AMA, don’t believe the bill adequately addresses the country’s healthcare needs.
The coalition letter outlines several principles “essential to a patient-centered healthcare system,” including choice of health plan and choice of physician, among others. In contrast, the coalition opposes a new government-run health plan as well as physician and patient mandates for participation in such a plan, as these are “inconsistent with quality medical care.”
Dr. Alsip encourages Congress to spend the time necessary to carefully study all the issues, weigh the options, consider the impact, and take the actions necessary to achieve the best possible results. The issues are difficult and reform will be a challenge, he says, which is why the insistence to fast-track the 1,018-page bill through Congress has physicians concerned.
“You won’t get a second chance with this patient,” Dr. Alsip said.
Read more on MASA's efforts to shape Health System Reform