For immediate release
January 23, 2007
Statement attributable to:
William G. Plested III, MD
AMA President
"The American Medical Association applauds President Bush's renewed focus on covering the uninsured. Expanding health care coverage is a top priority of the AMA, and we are greatly encouraged that the President used the State of the Union address to focus nationwide attention on this important health issue.
"Tonight, the President has raised the nation's awareness of the inequities in the tax treatment of Americans based on individual versus employer purchased health care. Bottom line: Americans with individually purchased health insurance pay taxes on the entire cost of their insurance, while those with employer-sponsored health coverage don't.
"The American Medical Association plan to cover the uninsured builds on the strengths of the current system, and the cornerstone of the plan is to enable patients to purchase their choice of health insurance coverage. The AMA believes that the federal government should provide lower-income individuals with a voucher or tax credit for the purchase of health insurance, based on a sliding scale of their income.
"Physicians see firsthand the devastating impact not having health insurance can have on their patients. Uninsured patients live sicker and die younger, they often postpone preventive care and put off office visits until health problems reach crisis proportions, leading to more costly and more difficult conditions to treat. Many without coverage lack the means to get regular check-ups needed to monitor and control chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
"The AMA is also encouraged by the President's new effort to help governors reduce the number of uninsured in their states. State initiatives truly serve as a learning laboratory as Congress and the Administration grapple with how best to help all Americans get health care coverage.
"We are pleased that President Bush continues to call for federal medical liability reform as part of his health care plan. We couldn't agree more 'that the best healthcare decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors'.
"The AMA stands ready to assist the Administration and Congress with efforts to cover the uninsured, and encourages bipartisan efforts on an issue that transcends party lines — the health of the American people."
###
For more information, please contact:
Katherine M. Hatwell
Senior Public Information Officer
AMA Media Relations
(202) 789-7419
Content provided by: Media Relations