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October 6, 2009
WHERE DOCTORS STAND.... Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Price (Ga.), a physician by trade, wasn't impressed with the White House event yesterday with doctors who support health care reform. On a conference call organized by the RNC, Price said, "I would suggest that a real cross-section of doctors would not be applauding a government takeover of healthcare." Putting aside the tiresome and faulty premise -- in reality, reform proposals do not constitute a "government takeover" -- Price seems to think he knows what physicians want from the health care system. Perhaps he's out of the medical-community loop -- most doctors not only support reform proposals, but also endorse a public option. Indeed, a large, independent study was recently conducted, which found 63% of doctors say they favor giving patients a choice that would include both public and private insurance. An additional 10% want a single-payer system. Taken together, "nearly three-quarters of physicians supported some form of a public option, either alone or in combination with private insurance options." What's more, this is increasingly becoming the focus of reform advocates' pitch to the public. The DNC's Organizing for America unveiled this ad earlier today, featuring "a direct appeal from a doctor and a nurse making the case for the urgent need for health insurance reform." The press release added that the ad will run on national cable outlets beginning tomorrow for the next two weeks. The White House also released its own video this morning, showing testimonials from physicians who attended yesterday's Rose Garden event, all of whom offered their support for Democratic proposals. It's a shame Tom Price wasn't there; he might have learned something. —Steve Benen 12:45 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (13)
Comments
Statistics are for those who can't discern by instinct what people are really feeling, like I can. Posted by: Myke K on October 6, 2009 at 12:48 PM | PERMALINKFrom the desk of Representative Tom Price (R-Ga): I am a republican and I resent that you say that I could learn anything! As a republican, I already know all that I need to know. As a republican, I know what I believe and that is all that is necessary for me. Why do you liberals keep insisting on having facts that interfere with our conservative beliefs? Posted by: Tom Priceless on October 6, 2009 at 12:52 PM | PERMALINKGod new about the doctor. Good luck getting Price to learn anything. Posted by: Cap'n Chucky on October 6, 2009 at 12:53 PM | PERMALINKI often wonder why there are so many Drs. in Congress. It seems odd. Posted by: cat on October 6, 2009 at 12:53 PM | PERMALINKThere was a good piece on the "News Hour" last night about this pitting reform supporter Dr. Hershey Garner from Doctors for America against the Coalition to Protect Patient Rights' Dr. Donald Palmisano. While Palmisano kept parroting r-w talking points ("government takeover," "look how scary it is in Canada and the UK," etc.) Garner was very effective in making the case for reform. Obama should enlist Garner more often. See: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec09/health_10-05.html Posted by: Miki on October 6, 2009 at 12:55 PM | PERMALINKI'd like to know what Dr. Price's practice is, how he is paid and by whom. Does he accept Medicare/Medicaid money? Does he do any pro-bono work? Does he discriminate on the basis of ability to pay, critical need? What are his religious beliefs? Does he believe in life? Posted by: st john on October 6, 2009 at 12:55 PM | PERMALINKPrice is right--a cross section of doctors wouldn't. A representative sample of doctors' opinions might, however, produce a different result. The problem with cross-sectioning doctors is that it's pretty messy... You note that Price is a physician by trade; were I one of his patients I might be happier if he were a physician by profession or vocation. I hope that he qualifies on aptitude, at least. Posted by: docdave on October 6, 2009 at 12:58 PM | PERMALINKlet's see... a republican MD,who talks about "government takeover of health care" ... ... ... looks like at least two strikes agst him according to the old "first do no harm..." rule. Posted by: neill on October 6, 2009 at 1:04 PM | PERMALINKI'd suggest Price parsed his words just right: "I would suggest that a real cross-section of doctors would not be applauding a government takeover of healthcare." Steve argues that Price is echoing a "tired and faulty premise." I'd argue Price is talking about oranges when you've asked him about apples, and is hoping the wingnuts who elected him are too stupid to know the difference. HE knows we're not talking about government taking over healthcare, but that doesn't mean HE can't talk about it. Put it this way: The topic could be about global warming. I could say "I think most parent would be really upset over the idea of murdering their children in an effort to reduce humanity's carbon footprint." Well, that subject was never brought up, but I'M talking about it, so the topic must be considered valid by SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, or else, why did I bring it up? Much like the rumor that Glenn Beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990. People keep bringing it up, so can you prove that it's NOT a valid topic of conversation? I don't know for whom the conference call Price was on was intended. Were it a conference call of Republican lawmakers and politicians, then, Hell, more red meat for the masses? But if it were a conference call for reporters, then shame on them, all of them, for not asking Price to compare apples and oranges. Sure only 10% of doctors are arguing for a single-payer system, but nearly three quarters of them want the government involved SOMEHOW in health insurance. How does Price feel about THAT number, and NOT bring up a scenario not under discussion about completely government-run healthcare? Posted by: slappy magoo on October 6, 2009 at 1:05 PM | PERMALINKIf the Democrats don't come up with a universally accessible non-profit public option, at least for the bronze (or basic) coverage, they will lose control over the next elections. Why? Because there is no way for the Democrats to mandate individuals' payments to private corporations without looking like imbeciles. Not to mention topping it off with extra taxpayers' money to private insurers to cover the poor. Good luck trying to explain that to the voters! "Why didn't you do it right when you had the chance?" Posted by: Lee A. Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 1:08 PM | PERMALINKIt’s important to distinguish between primary care physicians, most of whom realize the existing system is broken, and specialists, most of whom are doing just fine under the existing system, thank you. Posted by: J. Frank Parnell on October 6, 2009 at 1:36 PM | PERMALINKJ. Frank Parnell, Most specialists want a Public Option. It is important to note that despite your remarks the Robert Wood Johnson survey found that: "Regardless of region of the country, practice backgrounds, or specialties, a majority of physicians said they support a combination of public and private options." http://www.rwjf.org/healthreform/product.jsp?id=48428
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