Democrats vs. the Doctors: Medical Societies Oppose Government Takeover of Health Care

MONDAY, NOV 23, 2009

The House is not in session.

TUESDAY, NOV 24, 2009

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WEDNESDAY, NOV 25, 2009

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THURSDAY, NOV 26, 2009

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FRIDAY, NOV 27, 2009

The House is not in session.

Leader Alert

Democrats vs. the Doctors: Medical Societies Oppose Government Takeover of Health Care
Two Former AMA Presidents Join Thousands of Doctors in Opposing the Health Care Proposal Supported by President Obama

Washington, Sep 9 - As the President prepares to deliver remarks to a joint session of Congress tonight, several medical societies and thousands of doctors are on record explicitly opposing the Democratic proposal for a government takeover of health care as supported by President Obama.

Seven state medical societies, three specialty medical associations, and two former Presidents of the American Medical Association representing 43,000 doctors wrote a letter to House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman stating that they are adamantly opposed to the Democrats’ bill. The letter outlines particular concern with a government-run system that will limit options for patients, and with penalties and mandates that will be imposed on families and small businesses:

“The undersigned medical associations, representing more than 43,000 physicians, are united in our resolve to achieve a health care system that places patients in charge of their health care and preserves the practice of medicine as a profession. …

“We oppose the creation of a government-run health plan that will compete unfairly with the private market. We are concerned that any government plan will always have advantages that are not available to the private sector. These unfair advantages will effectively crowd out the private market leaving only a government–run option available.”

The American College of Surgeons isn’t just concerned by the proposal but by the rhetoric the President is using to sell a skeptical public on a costly, complex plan. In a statement, they said they are “deeply disturbed over the uninformed public comments President Obama continues to make” as he pitches a government takeover. The Washington Times reported:

“Worse than the mistake about the cost of surgery was the implication that doctors are hacks. Wrote the surgeons: ‘The president's remarks are truly alarming... inflammatory and incorrect. . . .’

“It is not just surgeons, but all doctors and medical personnel, who should take umbrage at the president's statements. Is he really suggesting that primary-care physicians will knowingly allow diabetics to deteriorate? Or that pediatricians will not treat sore throats in careful, minimally invasive ways?”

The Republican response to President Obama’s remarks to Congress tonight will be delivered by a surgeon: Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA). Boustany delivered a Weekly GOP Address in May highlighting the importance of lowering health care costs for families and small businesses.

Reports suggest that the White House may tout a letter from the American Medical Association (AMA) as evidence that doctors support a costly government takeover of health care. Don’t be fooled. The AMA itself hedged its support for the Democratic proposal, telling Fox News last month that “the organization does not support a government takeover of health care.”

In short, it is simply inaccurate to suggest that all American doctors support the Democratic health care takeover.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has called on the President to scrap the Democrats’ current proposal and work together with Republicans on a comprehensive health care solution that lowers costs and expands coverage without adding to the debt or creating a costly, government-run system -- a solution that American families, small businesses, and doctors alike can get behind.

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HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner