AMA to Washington Times: What AMA Wants
October 27, 2009 (published)
Washington Times
Letter to the Editor
To the editor,
To be perfectly clear, the American Medical Association does not support a single-payer health care system ("Doctors stir, half asleep," Opinion, Friday). The AMA is committed to achieving a health system that provides all Americans with a choice of affordable, portable, high-quality health care and that eliminates denials for pre-existing conditions.
We feel strongly that repeal of the broken Medicare physician payment formula is an essential element of health reform to ensure the security and stability of Medicare for seniors and baby boomers and Tricare for military families. Congress created this payment formula, and Congress needs to find a way to replace or fix it.
The AMA continues to believe that medical liability reform is crucial to reduce the cost of defensive medicine. As a direct result of AMA advocacy, President Obama authorized a $25 million grant program for state pilot projects for alternative medical liability reforms. While we strongly support non-economic caps that have been proved reforms in states such as Texas and California, amendments for caps like these were defeated by large margins in the House and Senate committees earlier this year.
The AMA will thoughtfully consider the House and Senate health reform bills coming up for floor votes in the coming weeks. We've come a long way, and now Congress must find common ground on the proposals that will better serve patients and physicians.
J. James Rohack, MD
President, American Medical Association
