Dr.
Davis Pitches Universal HC At Rhoades
By
PAUL NATINSKY
The AMA is pushing for a universal health care plan for all Americans,
but in the view of some, the organization’s plan is flawed and doesn’t
go far enough.
AMA
President, esteemed WCMSSM member and internationally recognized
anti-tobacco crusader Ron Davis, MD, presented the AMA’s
solution to the crisis ensnaring the 40-plus million uninsured
in the United States to an energetic audience at the Detroit
Yacht Club March 14.
The
AMA plan would eliminate the $120 billion in tax subsidies
accruing to employers and redirect it to cover care for
the uninsured. Currently, employers do not pay taxes on
the money they spend on employee health plans, thus the
subsidy.
This
redirection would “change the current system, which is
inequitable to one that is equitable,” said Dr. Davis.
He said that adding $30 billion to $60 billion to the amount
already being spent to cover the uninsured would “spark
coverage for 94 percent of Americans.”
The
plan would incorporate tax credits to those earning up
to 500 percent of the federal poverty level and require
the purchase of health insurance by all. With an average
cost of $6,000 for a health insurance policy and health
insurance uncoupled from employers, insurance companies
would step into line and offer comprehensive plans that
people can afford. Other provisions include guaranteed
renewability (no giant premium increases for those who
get sick), tax-funded state high-risk pools to cover the
very poor and association plans to help small businesses
broaden their risk pools and keep premiums low.
Despite
the obvious good intent of the AMA’s plan and Dr. Davis’ popularity
and prominence in Detroit, responders were very candid
in their reactions.
“I
happen to be pretty far to the left of the political spectrum,
and if I find myself agreeing with the AMA, the AMA has
come a long way,” said Robert Frank, MD, Executive Vice
Dean, Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Dr.
Frank said the AMA plan is a good start, but needs to go
further. He fears people will buy cheap, inadequate health
plans and that the AMA plan probably will not cover all.
He also doesn’t think the market works well to inform people.
In other words, insurers can’t be counted on to offer good
plans, even if incentivized.
Dr.
Frank touted the American College of Physicians plan which
he said installs universal health coverage built on a primary
care base, educates consumers and reduces administrative
costs.
His
main criticism of the AMA plan: “I don’t see why we need
to be so concerned about keeping the health insurance industry
alive.” He prefers single-payer financing.
Gary
Benjamin is an attorney who is on the board of directors
of Michuhcan, which is a group dedicated to enacting a
constitutional amendment requiring universal coverage in
Michigan. He is a dedicated single-payer advocate.
He
said he started with the big numbers, the $57 billion to
$63 billion spent on health care services each year in
Michigan. He divided that number by Michigan’s population,
considered the $6,000 average cost for a health insurance
policy and said, “I know that I can buy a good plan – even
for someone with a preexisting condition – for less than
that.
“You
can redo the finances in most states and provide coverage
for everyone.”
Benjamin
thinks choice of insurance plan is an overrated option
for most people.
“I
don’t see why we have to have a choice of insurance companies,” he
said. “Our polling data show people don’t care who their
insurance company is as long as they can choose their doctor.”
The
resolution of this issue likely won’t happen for some time.
Dr. Davis pointed out that while most of these concepts
are addressed at least in part by all of this year’s presidential
candidates, no one person’s plan becomes reality.
He
ended his part of the presentation with a quote from Henry
Ford, which is probably as good an ending point as any:
“Coming
together is a beginning; keeping together is progress;
working together is success.”
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