OUR AMA IS THE VOICE FOR THE UNINSURED

Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Massive healthcare cuts on state level will further increase the number of Americans without health insurance. Now, the burden has fallen to cities and counties to tackle the growing problem that prevents millions of people from getting timely medical care.In Dade County almost 30% of all residents lack healthinsurance coverage. As a physician and citizen I will not remain silent! In my practice almost ALL of my patient have no health insurance and the number is growing every day. I am seeing more patients every day and many of my clients represent hardworking and lawabiding men and women. They desperately try to make a living amidst sharply increasing costs for food, mortgage, utilities and gas. They do not qualify for Medicaid but can't afford health insurance. They often ask me," Who speaks up for me?"
Now we can proudly answer that OUR AMA is stepping up to the challenge and has released a Health Insurance Reform proposal that can truly address the problem. As an AMA Delegate I have started to speak about the plan and just today spoke at a meeting of a local Democratic Party Club.
Most have never heard about the plan. The questions after the presentations reflect great interest and cautious support.
I encourage each of you to read about the proposal (http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/17712.html) which hinges on three elements: 1) Tax credits instead of tax exclusion and subsidy for the high federal income tax brackets, 2) Individually Selected and Owned Health Insurance, 3) Development of New Health Insurance Markets.
Consumer choice is the cornerstone of the AMA's proposal to expand coverage. The AMA plan would limit the role of government to those who cannot afford any insurance, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
The plan is not be perfect but can serve as a platform for discussion and can be amended or expanded.
I am developing a power point presentation about the proposal for the lay audience and am happy to share it with any of you.
As AMA members we should all engage in informing our patients, our families and legislators about this proposal.
Now is NOT the time to question if we have a problem with uninsured Americans but to focus on how to resolve the problem.
Our FMA should be an active partner in this campaign and not stand on the sidelines questioning the validity of the number of uninsured. Realism is the only -ism we should pursue. Our contribution to solve this problem will promote our public image!
I am carrying the message to community groups, the chambers of commerce and to anyone who wants to listen and debate the issue on a rational basis.
Now its your turn! Join us in this campaign!
Yours
Bernd

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE:

* http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/18351.html
* http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/17712.html
* http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/291/18/2237