The Doctors Are In! AMA Endorses House Bill

Most health activists expected the American Medical Association [1] (AMA), the largest physician organization in the country, to oppose the health reform bill [2] recently introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill, ‘America's Affordable Health Choice Act,’ includes a public health insurance plan option, which the AMA has railed against. Just last month The New York Times published an article titled “Doctors’ Group Opposes Public Insurance Plan [3]” that outlined the group’s position:

“As the health care debate heats up, the American Medical Association is letting Congress know that it will oppose creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan, which President Obama and many other Democrats see as an essential element of legislation to remake the health care system...

“[I]n comments submitted to the Senate Finance Committee, the American Medical Association said: ‘The A.M.A. does not believe that creating a public health insurance option for non-disabled individuals under age 65 is the best way to expand health insurance coverage and lower costs. The introduction of a new public plan threatens to restrict patient choice by driving out private insurers, which currently provide coverage for nearly 70 percent of Americans.’”

Soon after, President Obama presented his case [4] at the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago. (Watch his speech [5].)

And now, in a surprise endorsement, the AMA sent a letter [6] to Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, clearly stating its support for the bill:

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association, I am writing to express our appreciation and support for H.R. 3200, the ‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.’ This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform. We urge members of the House Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means Committees to favorably report H.R. 3200 for consideration by the full House...We pledge to work with the House committees and leadership to build support for passage of health reform legislation to expand access to high quality, affordable health care for all Americans.”

As Jonathan Cohn wrote [7]:

“This is unexpected. Or, at least, I wasn't expecting it. Recent signals from the AMA suggested they were reluctant to embrace reform, in no small part because they believed a public insurance option would underpay them. But the AMA letter contains no caveats. It is a straightforward endorsement.”

It would seem President Obama was rather persuasive. Let’s hope he keeps on giving those speeches...