AMA meeting: AMA guidelines say health reform should be universal, offer choice of benefits

The Association supports state efforts to cover the uninsured.

By Damon Adams, amednews staff. Dec. 3, 2007.

Interim Meeting 2007

Meeting Notes

Resources

Honolulu -- When evaluating health system reform proposals, physicians and others should look at coverage options, benefit packages and financing, according to principles the AMA House of Delegates adopted in November.

The new principles say:

Meeting notes: Access to care
See related content
Topic: The uninsured

Health insurance coverage for state residents should be universal, continuous and portable. Coverage should be mandatory only if health insurance subsidies are available for those living below a defined poverty level.
The health care system should emphasize patient choice of plans and health benefits, including mental health, which should be value-based. Existing federal guidelines for health insurance coverage -- such as the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program regulations -- should be used as references when considering if a plan would provide meaningful coverage.
The delivery system should let physicians and patients choose their health insurance coverage and whether they will participate in such coverage. Systems should preserve the patient-physician relationship and focus on providing care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, patient-centered and equitable.
The administration and governance system should be simple, transparent, accountable, efficient and effective to reduce administrative costs and maximize funding for patient care.
Health insurance coverage should be equitable, affordable and sustainable. The financing strategy should strive for simplicity, transparency and efficiency. It should emphasize personal responsibility as well as societal obligations.

"The AMA supports state efforts to address important issues in the health care system, as state reforms can serve as testing grounds for more expansive federal programs," AMA Trustee Steven J. Stack, MD, said in a statement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Meeting notes: Access to care

Issue: Only 3% of employers in 2006 offered the health-savings accounts and consumer-driven health plans the AMA has supported as an option for patients.

Proposed action: Encourage employers to promote greater health plan choice and ownership, offer workers tools to evaluate health plans, and support a fairer and more uniform health insurance market. [ Adopted ]

Issue: More than a third of workers have health plans that charge percentage-based co-payments, rather than fixed-dollar co-pays, for expensive specialty drugs.

Proposed action: A new policy saying the AMA believes that health plans should encourage the judicious use of resources instead of simply shifting drug costs to patients; that cost-sharing should be based on a number of factors affecting patient adherence and health outcomes; and that new tools should be made available so that doctors and patients can price out drug options before deciding which will be prescribed. [ Adopted ]

The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment.
AMA House - Slideshow - Updates