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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