The state of the union -- and of the nation's health

AMA Leader Commentary. By Duane M. Cady, MD, March 6, 2006.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from Duane M Cady, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

In his recent State of the Union address, President Bush mentioned several issues related to health care, medicine and the uninsured that are also key priorities of the American Medical Association.

In his speech, he cited the importance of "strengthening the doctor-patient relationship." It is our hope that his remarks will spur further dialogue about the health care issues that impact all Americans.

This passage in particular outlined some of what we may see in the year ahead in the realms of medical and health care policy:

"We will strengthen health savings accounts, making sure individuals and small-business employees can buy insurance with the same advantages that people working for big businesses now get," the president said. "We will do more to make this coverage portable, so workers can switch jobs without having to worry about losing their health insurance."

Access to quality medical care is a central element of this issue. One way to ensure access is to make sure more people have health insurance, while not bankrupting the health care system in the process.

The rising cost of care is a growing concern in this country. The AMA believes that we must engage patients as partners to manage costs successfully and achieve greater value from the resources devoted to health care.

Consumer-driven health care encourages patients to take a greater interest in their health care and how they spend their health care dollars by putting themselves in the driver's seat.

The AMA believes that health savings accounts empower patients to have greater control over their health care decision-making and are an important choice in the health insurance mix. Coverage choices such as HSAs provide flexibility and portability for patients, allowing them to change jobs without worry.