AMA: Healthcare Reform Bill a 'Starting Point'

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How can AARP’s endorsement be taken seriously! AARP is not a social conscience, but a financial services and insurance company. They will benefit from the bill as it slashes the Medicare Advantage plans which compete with the Medicare Supplement plan AARP sells. AARP has not generate a single negative article this year on the negative impact from the health bills.
Same with the AMA. They were extorted by Reid to “endorse” the bill. The AMA was promised legislation to curb scheduled massive cuts to medicare payments to doctors in exchange for their support. Wake up people!

curt of IL 10:26AM November 06, 2009

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lesterphil of AL 8:11PM September 02, 2009

The AMA no longer speaks for doctors in America. The AMA represents less than 20% of doctors and nearly a fifth of those aren't practicing medicine. The vast majority of doctors in America are not behind the AMAs position on reengineering America's medical system.
If you really want the truth, speak to your own physician. See if he or she thinks you'll be better off or worse off with the plan the Democrats and the AMA are promoting. If you trust your doctor with your health, you should trust them on this.

Colvin of FL 1:15PM August 21, 2009

i am employed at a retail company. we were given job reductions to partime from fulltime. i was offered severance but refused because there are no jobs for over 50. i was told i would keep my ins. because of being there 16 yrs. 2 months later all pt was notified that we will lose our benefits next year.i have breast cancer that was found after i went pt.my husband is diabetic and this is our only ins.my husband comp offers ins at 3 times what i paid. with my hour reduction and my husbands pay we do not even make 2000 a month. between mortgage ,utilities and expenses we have nothing left to pay for healthcare.my ins is paying for now but what about next year.its bad enough that i can,t afford my copay. my ins pays 70%.i have to pay the rest which is at 4000.already. we need good healthcare so i don't lose my house
danbury ct

mas of CT 3:52PM August 14, 2009

I am disabled too, live off $1500 per month. I sympathize with the above person who says she is not making it on $2,000 a month. But with disability comes medicare, and insurance is only $50 per month, in addition to the $96 they deduct automatically for the medicare. Not $400 for disabled people. Medications on a current medicare advantage plan i.e. I have to take 11 different meds every month with co-pays ect... my co-pays are low ($15) my prescriptions are $5.00 and this is under our current medicare advantage plans that are available to every disabled american person who is on disability receiving SS benefits who qualifies for medicare, It is also available to anyone who has medicare. I feel good that I have such good insurance. I also have a PPO, which means that I get to pick my own doctor. I choose not to get help in other areas where I could qualify for help, because I have husband who has income and I realize that others don't have that luxury, so I don't opt for assistance in other areas, but we have a good system for the disabled and the people who really need good health care. There are already programs in place for low to moderate income families that if a person is motivated, they can get on the computer, do the research to find these programs. I had my kids on the best Kaiser plan, as a single mom for 10 years that only costs me $15 per month. The best medical care that is available for medium income families in California and a few other states. At the time it was called "Cares for kids" My insurance was through my employer. So there are programs out there. The state of new mexico insures all low income families. People are just lazy, they don't want to look and they stay un-insured.

Luana of NM 1:24PM August 14, 2009

Healthcare reform is a must for America. It is sad to watch the violence and rudeness greeting the debates. Americans were supposed to be civilized but their reactions against their leaders run fowl of a civil way of life. The Republicans who are using the healthcare reform to divide America, and to achieve cheap political talking point should have a rethink. They should stop misleading Americans through misrepresentation of issues. They should realize that America is greater than the Democrats or the Republicans. What those whose oppose the contents of the reforms should do is to come up with suggestions on how to have a better reform. What is happing in America is a clear indication that America is not what the World thinks it is - A civilized democracy - but a people full of selfishness who can do anything just for personal and political interest. By this America is losing it moral justification in dictating what happens in other countries, or fighting wars in foreign countries.
The so-called third-World nations do not behave in such rude, violent and uncivil manners as the people of America and their leaders do.
The Democrats and Obama are well-off without any healthcare reofrms. Americans should open their minds to the truth.

Emeka 4:33AM August 14, 2009

I am retired due to a medical disability. My total disability
income of $2000 a month is used for rent,car payments & insurance, (health insurance & medicare of close to $400 a month)I also have to buy food,alot for utilites,and personal care products.I am over income guidelines for food stamps,heap& rental assisance.
I have no dental, vision,or hearing coverage. I pay co payments
for doctor visits,perscriptions,plus the yearly deductable for
hospital etc. I would gladly except medicaid and pay a fair and reasonable amount.People should be able to buy into medicaid
if you are eligable and choose to. leave the medicaid plan as is. But make it more affordable for the elderly, disabled, and retired with income to buy in. Taking into consideration the nescary living expenses before detirmining each persons buy in amount.The rich and famous who opt not to buy into medicaid should be able to purchase their own private plan just like is done now. Employers should be requried to offer the medicaid plan to all employees not just full time employees.This would be a start that would provide medical care to those not eligable but still leave other options open for those who can afford more. Please do something now why do you think people emloyed part time and at minimum wages loose their jobs or Quit
ending up in emergency rooms for charity care. Simly because they have no medical coverage and are over income guide lines for goverment programs.Do something now to provide the health care thats needed not just medical.

Marie Bates of NY 10:09PM August 13, 2009

Hay comment to End of Life that is really sad you making your comments on fat, tobacco drug addicted out of shape americans.How do you know there reasons bottom line we all need better health care lets stay focused and find a solution not bash one another until you are the fat person or the person with a drug addiction dont judge.

Kathy of CA 1:12AM August 12, 2009

As a Registered Nurse I see the need for a change in healthcare, however, the proposed "Reform" deeply concerns me. What makes anyone think that private insurance companies will remain intact after this "Reform" takes place? There is no doubt in my mind that the private companies will cease to operate after the government plan comes into effect. It is common sense that it will not be cost efficient to keep running, and Americans who were happy with their plans, and their doctors, will be forced into the government plan. I really think this is the objective of President Obama. I do not want my medical information available on omputer for the "Helath Czar" to view and decide on my care. I do not want government having so much power over my life. It is a grave disappointment that the AMA is backing this reform. The docs I work with have already voiced their concern over this reform and plan not to practive if this bill passes.

Jillian of FL 1:42PM August 11, 2009

so why don't we evaluate and improve our existing healthcare like medicare and medicaid to make it a more productive and effective system before we try and change every aspect of healthcare. If insurance companies are exploiting sickness for profit why can't we do something about that instead of trying to change the whole thing, medicare and medicaid are so full of wholes that proper care can not be given. i work in a healthcare facility and deal with medicare and medicaid everyday, we already take huge cuts from the government for our patients and it is still too costly for us and the patients. Also i have been recently diagnosed with diebetes and i find that it is more costly to purchase the good foods than it is to purchase the high sugar and carb foods. If the government wants to lessen the medical burdens on both sides, then they should spend more of their efforts on promoting healthy practices and have incentives for employers to promote good health. I think that a complete change around is too much to ask us americans who are having too many issues personnally to be able to look at the whole system. that is why we elect our officials to government, to look out for all people's interests.
we cannot be expected to have informed oppinions on bills and legislature that we have not been given ample time to evaluate or even understand. Finally I feel very strongly that our congress who have not read the healthcare bill completely have not completed their sworn duty to look out for our interests and should not be allowed to continue to represent us. Let's work on our existing issues.

MARGARET HINDMAN of WV 12:03PM August 11, 2009