AMA Launches 'National House Call' to Challenge Candidates to
Address Health Care Policy Issues
Contact: Mike Lynch, 312-464-4584,
[email protected],
or Robert Mills, 312-464-5970,
[email protected],
both of the American Medical Association;
Web site: http://www.ama-assn.org
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Citing unfinished Patients' Bill of Rights legislation, 44 million Americans without health insurance, and a Medicare system badly in need of reform, the American Medical Association (AMA) launched an initiative today to ensure that the next president puts health care at the top of his policy agenda.
AMA leaders will join with state and local medical association leaders on a "National House Call" tour of key primary states to raise the visibility of health policy issues by conducting press briefings, participating in town hall meetings, debates and other election events; and engaging voters and candidates themselves along the 2000 presidential campaign trail. This is a more activist role for the AMA in a presidential campaign, though the AMA will continue its traditional posture of not endorsing any specific candidate.
"In poll after poll, Americans say that they are concerned about the future availability of quality, affordable health care," said AMA president Thomas R. Reardon, M.D. "The AMA strongly believes that no candidate can be elected next November without a solid commitment to addressing those critical health care issues that mean the most to patients, physicians and the well-being of families nationwide."
According to a recent Washington Post nationwide poll, out of a list of 51 worries, Republican, Democrat and independent voters said their top concern was that insurance companies -- not doctors -- are deciding the course of medical treatment.
"The AMA has looked at managed care patient restrictions, the lack of health insurance for so many Americans, including 11 million children, and a host of other current U.S. health policy problems," said Dr. Reardon. "In each case, we have asked a basic question, 'Is it good medicine?' Our aim is to make sure the next president has carefully considered these issues and is prepared to write the best health care policy prescription."
The AMA unveiled a series of health care policy questions that it is urging candidates to answer for voters. Those questions include:
-- Do I support a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights?
-- Do I believe physicians, not insurance plans, should determine what care is medically necessary for you and your family?
-- Do I believe that HMOs should be held accountable for treatment decisions that harm patients?
-- Do I support health insurance coverage for all Americans?
-- Do I support tax-based incentives to make it easier for American families to afford health insurance?
-- Do I have a plan to reform Medicare?
While today marks the formal roll-out of the AMA's campaign, Dr. Reardon and members of the Iowa Medical Association were on hand Dec. 13 at the Republican debate in Des Moines, Iowa to raise these issues with voters and candidates. AMA's National House Call makes its first stop Dec. 17 in New Hampshire where a debate between Democratic candidates is scheduled.
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/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
12/15 11:34
Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire
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