Most US doctors back public health option: poll

[standin]

Mon Sep 14, 5:44 pm ET
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – Most US doctors approve of a "public option" to supplement private health care insurance in the United States, as proposed by President Barack Obama, a poll showed Monday.

A total of 62.9 percent of physicians who participated in the survey by the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) said they favored a public option, or government insurance plan, against 27.3 percent backing a private system alone.

Another 9.6 percent favored a completely government-owned health care coverage system.

"It's clear that the majority of US physicians support both public and private options to expand coverage," NEJM said, noting that between 52 and 69 percent of Americans favor a supplemental public option.

The journal described physicians as "critical stakeholders" in health care reform.

Obama has vowed to pass legislation by the end of the year that would spread coverage to America's 47 million uninsured by making insurance obligatory and affordable for all.

But he has faced strong criticism, especially from Republicans, who have jumped on the 900-billion-dollar price tag and stoked fears that a mooted public option would lead to a federal takeover of health care -- anathema to many Americans who abhor the idea of big government.

The NEJM poll found that 58.3 percent of physicians favor expanding Medicare, the public health insurance plan for seniors over 65 years old, to people aged 55 and over.

This option is among a set of proposals being considered by the Senate Finance Committee, which has played a key role in legislating the health reform plan.

In the traditionally more conservative South, 58.9 percent of US physicians favored a public option, compared to 69.7 percent in the generally more progressive Northeast.

NEJM surveyed 2,130 general physicians, specialists and surgeons who work in a private practice or with hospital groups.

A Washington Post-ABC News opinion poll meanwhile showed Americans remained almost deadlocked in their opinion of the health care initiative, with 46 percent in favor of the proposed changes and 48 percent opposed.

Most US doctors back public health option: poll - Yahoo! News

[jhale667]

Yeah, but that came from the NEW ENGLAND Journal of Medicine...which the Republicants will automatically dismiss as coming from a "liberal" state...

[standin]

LOL...
I think that's the funniest thing I have heard all week!


I can see Rush and the others ranting on it now...

[Anonymous]

You're the only one ranting here. It's the booze & meds that do this. Go away. Quietly.

Crack whore.

[Nitro Express]

I think the problem is with going into Iraq on a lie and the bankers bailout scam, people don't trust the government. Now the current private healthcare pricing is obviously monopoly pricing but part of that is big pharma and other healcare businesses buy the politicians. So how many see it the govt. will garnish your check to run a system still ran by who's caused the problem to begin with. This is my problem with it. Where's the guy on the white horse in Washington anymore? Washington has merged with the business interests so it's a political business monopoly. How's this going to fix healthcare?

[Kristy]

A total of 62.9 percent of physicians who participated in the survey by the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) said they favored a public option, or government insurance plan, against 27.3 percent backing a private system alone.

Another 9.6 percent favored a completely government-owned health care coverage system.

And 100% favor of getting paid. And who is better to keep these physicians in their BMW's and Aspen condos than the Federal government? That's true prestigiousness for you.

[standin]

Is something wrong with receiving payment,Kristy?


I don't mean to offend you if you work uncompensated, that is very admirable.

Just sayin'

[Sgt Schultz]

45% Of Doctors Would Consider Quitting If Congress Passes Health Care Overhaul
By TERRY JONES, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 09/15/2009

Two of every three practicing physicians oppose the medical overhaul plan under consideration in Washington, and hundreds of thousands would think about shutting down their practices or retiring early if it were adopted, a new IBD/TIPP Poll has found.

The poll contradicts the claims of not only the White House, but also doctors' own lobby — the powerful American Medical Association — both of which suggest the medical profession is behind the proposed overhaul.

It also calls into question whether an overhaul is even doable; 72% of the doctors polled disagree with the administration's claim that the government can cover 47 million more people with better-quality care at lower cost.

The IBD/TIPP Poll was conducted by mail the past two weeks, with 1,376 practicing physicians chosen randomly throughout the country taking part. Responses are still coming in, and doctors' positions on related topics — including the impact of an overhaul on senior care, medical school applications and drug development — will be covered later in this series.

Major findings included:

• Two-thirds, or 65%, of doctors say they oppose the proposed government expansion plan. This contradicts the administration's claims that doctors are part of an "unprecedented coalition" supporting a medical overhaul.

It also differs with findings of a poll released Monday by National Public Radio that suggests a "majority of physicians want public and private insurance options," and clashes with media reports such as Tuesday's front-page story in the Los Angeles Times with the headline "Doctors Go For Obama's Reform."

Nowhere in the Times story does it say doctors as a whole back the overhaul. It says only that the AMA — the "association representing the nation's physicians" and what "many still regard as the country's premier lobbying force" — is "lobbying and advertising to win public support for President Obama's sweeping plan."

The AMA, in fact, represents approximately 18% of physicians and has been hit with a number of defections by members opposed to the AMA's support of Democrats' proposed health care overhaul.

• Four of nine doctors, or 45%, said they "would consider leaving their practice or taking an early retirement" if Congress passes the plan the Democratic majority and White House have in mind.

More than 800,000 doctors were practicing in 2006, the government says. Projecting the poll's finding onto that population, 360,000 doctors would consider quitting.



LINK

[standin]

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