Thread: Two-thirds of doctors support public option

Rx for Health Care

Two-thirds of doctors support public option

By Rep. Susan Davis
2:00 a.m. September 20, 2009

In the wake of his address to the nation on health care reform earlier this month, President Barack Obama has continued to press his case for his vision. But the country, and Congress, remain divided.

What would you do if you lost your job and, consequently, your health insurance? What would you do if your insurance company denied you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or dropped your coverage altogether when you became ill? What if you have health insurance but develop a serious illness and, because of the insurance company's lifetime limit on the cost of care, you end up having to pay so much out of pocket that you have to declare bankruptcy? What if your premiums keep going up? Will you be able to afford insurance in the future? Unfortunately, these scenarios are all too common. And they shouldn't happen in America.

Health care is very expensive, accounting for nearly 20 percent of our national spending. Insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs have doubled in the last eight years. They are expected to double again in the next decade, which means a family of four could pay $36,000 in annual premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.

There is no stability or security in maintaining your health care coverage.Every day, 14,000 people lose their health care coverage. Thirty million Americans don't even have health insurance to lose. In my congressional district, 26 percent, or 162,000 people, don't have health insurance. To make health insurance more affordable, secure and accessible, here is what is being proposed:

Insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop you when they get sick. There would be no lifetime limits on the cost of care. Your coverage won't run out on you when you need it most. Those who do not have insurance would have access to a health care exchange — a marketplace of different plans — to shop for the plan that is right for them. The key to creating an environment of healthy competition to lower prices will be a public option.

This is not about creating a government plan for the sake of doing so. Other proposals have already been looked at. The public option would work by building on the existing provider network established by Medicare. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, two-thirds of doctors support a public option to compete with private plans. Doctors' experience with Medicare makes them comfortable with the notion of a public option.

Part of the reason is less interference in decisions made by doctors and patients. They understand that a public option means a better chance that patients will get the care that they need.

Not only are doctors in support of a public option, but the American people are as well. A recent CBS poll found that 68 percent support a public option to compete with private insurers.

The American people like to have choices. Under the reform proposals, no one would be required to change the coverage they have. No one would be forced into a government-run plan.

Reform must incorporate innovation, transparency in the market, accountability and competition for it to succeed. The proposals in
Congress are moving us in the direction of a uniquely American solution that builds on the existing health care insurance system and provides stability, affordability, accessibility and choice.

Davis, a Democrat, represents the 53rd Congressional District, which includes Imperial Beach, coastal and central portions of San Diego, Lemon Grove and La Presa.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... ?uniontrib

Thats bs. I have 3 doctors in the family who are against public option. Most doctors will stop taking Medicare patients if Obamas health plan passes. Most doctors agree that starting with tort reform would be the best way to lower insurance costs. Obama and his crew are misrepresenting the facts again.

Originally Posted by butterbean

Thats bs. I have 3 doctors in the family who are against public option. Most doctors will stop taking Medicare patients if Obamas health plan passes. Most doctors agree that starting with tort reform would be the best way to lower insurance costs. Obama and his crew are misrepresenting the facts again.

This isn't Obama's opinion, it is a CBS POLL.

A recent CBS poll found that 68 percent support a public option to compete with private insurers.

Bias Alert

http://www.mrc.org/biasalert/2009/20090916051118.aspx

If this was true, why did 49% of doctors say they were going to leave the profession and/or retire early if this health care bill reform is installed.

Originally Posted by ELE

If this was true, why did 49% of doctors say they were going to leave the profession and/or retire early if this health care bill reform is installed.

No worries, Obama will provide volunteers for doctors, give them some white coats and noone will notice the 49% who leaves the profession.

This isn't Obama's opinion, it is a CBS POLL.

Enough said. CBS poll. Emphasis on the BS.