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Jun 15, 2009 11:06 pm US/Central
Good Question: Do Doctors Want Health Care Reform?
(WCCO)
President Barack Obama wants health care reform on his desk within two months. But groups like the American Medical Association are threatening to stand in his way. That organization of doctors doesn't want a government-run health insurance program.
So why do some physicians think the president's fix would be unhealthy?
Dr. Donald Jacobs, the CEO of Hennepin Family Associates, said there is frustration over the current system. Jacobs chaired a major health care reform effort in Minnesota three years ago.
"We have far from a good system," he said.
"There are those who will try and scuttle reform no matter what. Use same scare tactics and fear mongering that's worked in the past," Obama told the AMA on Monday.
The scary words to some are "socialism" or "government-run" health care.
However, with nearly 50 million Americans uninsured, the president is talking about a government-sponsored insurance program.
"I think nationalized health care brings to mind something like Medicare. And Medicare has had many problems in its 40-plus year history," said Jacobs. "The government is already approximately 50 percent of health care dollars are paid for by government monies of some sort. So to have them become an even larger entity is quite concerning to some."
It's philosophical. Should government meddle with private business? But this is also about money. Doctors say another national program, Medicare, pays out less than it costs to deliver care.
"Doctors have an interest in keeping the system close to the way it is because that system has led to pretty good paydays, good lifestyles for doctors," said WCCO's Jason DeRusha.
"Well it has. But if you go around and ask doctors all over the country, I think you'll find them tremendously frustrated with the current system," said Jacobs.
"A system that automatically equates more expensive care with better care," Obama said. "And gives you every incentive to order that extra MRI or EKG even if it's not necessary."
"How do you reward a doctor for having a discussion that leads to a lifestyle change?" asked DeRusha.
"It is hard. There is no quick fix, there's no one thing that you can turn on in the system," said Jacobs.
The president's idea could cost more than $1 trillion over 10 years. While that's less than the cost of the Iraq war, it's still enough to cut every American a $3200 check.
However, the president insists doing nothing comes at a cost too. He said health care costs are one reason why GM and Chrysler went bankrupt.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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