by Nancy Thorner
The Senate's "historic" health care reform bill passed early on Christmas Eve morning along a strictly partisan vote. Now, reconciliation must take place between the Senate and House bills to fashion one bill that can be signed into law by President Obama.
Much of the public were misled when informed that the American Medical Association (AMA) endorsed the Senate legislation. With only 17% of U.S. doctors belonging to the AMA, what about the other 83% of physicians?
There is a prominent group of doctors who are speaking out. Doc4PatientCare is a grassroots organization that not only recruits doctors, but is also open to all who are interested in advocating for responsible healthcare reform by visiting its website and signing up at dopc4patientcare.org.
Doc4Patient Care was founded as an alternative group to the AMA about a year ago to give doctors a voice on issues related to responsible healthcare. The same organization allows citizens as well to voice their opinions and become active in the process. Lake Forest doctor, Mark G. Neerhof, Maternal/Fetal Medicine, is the main contact in the Chicago area for Docs4Patient Care.
According to Dr. Neerhof and D4PC, the reforms being proposed in the House and Senate bills would create a financial disaster for this nation and would further affect patient care, quality, availability and cost. Neerhof and D4PC are not against healthcare reform, but they seek responsible reform such as:
Tort reform.
Increase competition among insurance companies on restricting sale of insurance via interstate.
Give the same tax breaks to individuals as are given to employees so health insurance is not tied to your job.
Establish high risk pools so patients with pre-existing conditions can get health insurance.
Encourage the use of health savings accounts.
For thoughtful consideration, bear in mind the following as the rankling over healthcare "reform" continues in January, there will never be healthcare reform without meaningful tort reform; health care must remain between the patient and physician; access to a waiting list is not access to care; rationing of care is the only way costs can be cut under the proposed plans; forgotten by many is that America is a land of opportunity and not of entitlements (an idea forgotten by many); and, if physicians are expected to do no harm, then we must demand the same of our government.
Healthcare reform as proposed by President Obama and Democrats in Congress is not a done deal. Each individual can make a difference by voicing support to elected legislators for responsible and cautious health care reform that doesn't require the nationalization of the entire American healthcare system or 1/6 of this nation's economy.
Healthcare reform presently being negotiated in Congress is not about improving healthcare, but rather about increased government control over the American people.
