Wow. I have to say, I didn't expect this from the American Medical Association. Could it be that doctors have finally figured out just how much they get screwed by insurance companies? I hope so. But, this move by the AMA is key. It really shows that this is a battle for real health care reform and a healthier country:
The influential American Medical Association on Thursday said it supported the healthcare overhaul legislation moving through committees in the Democratic-led House of Representatives and urged its approval.Doctors should be doctors, not the functionaries of insurance companies.
"This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform," AMA executive vice president Michael Maves wrote to the House committee leaders.
In particular, he said, the doctors' group backs the insurance market reforms that seek to expand healthcare coverage and the proposed health insurance exchange. In this exchange consumers would choose between private insurers and a public plan.
He also cited the ban on exclusion from coverage for pre-existing conditions and an increased reliance on primary care doctors.
Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee started marking up the House health care reform bill, HR 3200, The America's Affordable Health Choices Act. This is where we can expect serious trouble from Blue Dog Democrats. As I noted this morning, Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) claims he has the votes to kill health care reform in this committee.
Now, with the doctors on our side, Ross and his colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee have to decide whose side their on. They are either with their constituents and doctors who want reform or they are with the insurance companies and the Republicans who want to kill reform. That's the choice.
Besides Mike Ross (AR-02), these are the problem Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee: John Barrow (GA-12), Bruce Braley (IA-01), Bart Gordon (TN-04), Baron Hill (IN-09), Jay Inslee (WA-01), Jim Matheson (UT-02), Charlie Melancon LA-03, Zack Space (OH-18) and Bart Stupak (MI-01).
These Democrats, actually all House Democrats, must hear from their constituents. Believe me, they are hearing plenty from the army of insurance company lobbyists. And, it is an army of lobbyists. Meanwhile, the Republicans want health care reform to fail because to them, politics comes first. They want Obama and the Democrats to fail.
This is crunch time. So, if call your members of Congress today. And, tomorrow. And, next week. Have your friends and family call, too. This is not time to be shy. The main switchboard number at the Capitol is 202-225-3121.
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