AM Best: Patients' Rights Group Opposes Public Option in Health Reform

July 23, 2009

Source: AM Best

The Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights announced it is firmly against the idea of a government-run insurer in the ongoing health care debate -- a position in line with the insurance industry, though for different reasons.

Coalition members have been lobbying in the offices of Capitol Hill, arguing that a public option would wreck the private health-insurance system, robbing patients of options. So the group advocates taking more time with the reform process. "We're here to ask Congress, when it comes to health care system reform: Slow down," said Dr. Donald J. Palmisano, the group's spokesman and a past president of the American Medical Association. He called the U.S. system "the best health care system in the world" and said, "The vast majority of Americans like their coverage."

"We want Congress to take its time and do it right," Palmisano said. "Why would you rush through such a bill?"

The insurance industry also is opposed to the public option, fearing it would operate at an advantage over private competitors, eventually driving health insurance companies out of business.

Dr. Todd Williamson, president of the Medical Association of Georgia and a member of the coalition, echoed that fear: "The government plan would ultimately consume the private marketplace." Also, Williamson sees the doctor-plaguing problems of Medicare amplified in such a plan. "The government has a monopoly on the Medicare-aged patient," he said. The public option, he contends, would expand that monopoly to everyone.

The request to slow down is the same message being delivered by Republican opponents to the Democrat-led reform. "My concern is the rush to do it." said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee. "What kind of health care do you get by something that's done in 10 days?" (BestWire, July 20, 2009).

But the AMA that Palmisano led in 2003 and 2004 has come out in support of the Democrats' reform proposals. In a statement of support for the House's reform legislation, current AMA President J. James Rohack said, "We are committed to passing health reform this year consistent with principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice, and universal access for patients."