Health access America - strengthening the US health care system

Article Abstract:

The United States has a high-quality, comprehensive medical care system which the majority of Americans find satisfactory. However, over 30 million Americans have no health insurance coverage and are unable to afford health care, a situation that many of their countrymen find intolerable. Any change in the private health care industry, which employs 7.7 million people, must be carefully managed. The American Medical Association (AMA) has proposed a plan, Health Access America, based on six fundamental principles, including the preservation of the strengths of the current system, affordable health care for all, high-quality service at appropriate costs, and the highest ethical standards on the part of all physicians. Sixteen specific points were included in the proposal, among them, Medicaid reform, required employer insurance, Medicare reform, and expansion of long-term care for older Americans. The AMA, representing America's physicians, is opposed to radical change of the health care system, preferring a carefully managed, incremental change. The cost of the program to the federal government would be about $21 billion per year. New costs to state governments, employers, and individuals are more difficult to calculate, but would not necessarily be higher. The provision of health insurance to an additional 30 million people will necessarily be costly, but this fact should be accepted, and we should get on with the determination of the type of reform best suited to national priorities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, Reports, Health insurance, National health insurance, Health Access America

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Physicians looking at themselves

Article Abstract:

Recently, an attack has begun on the insurance industry as the root cause of ever-increasing professional medical liability expense. The medical profession, through the 42 physician-owned and controlled professional liability companies, is doing a better job than commercial insurance companies in policing and disciplining negligent physicians. Physician-owned companies review performance and competence of other physicians, and take corrective action based on medical knowledge rather than courtroom theatrics. This approach leads to a more objective view of those physician actions that may have led to negligent behavior. Physician-owned firms are doing a relatively good job in their underwriting responsibilities, when compared with commercial insurance companies. It is hoped that physicians, their organizations, and their insurance companies, will be able to improve the professional liability problem. The number of law suits brought against physicians must be reduced, but at the same time negligent behavior on the part of physicians must also be reduced.

Evaluation, Demographic aspects, Medical malpractice, Professional standards review organizations (Medicine), Medical malpractice insurance, editorial

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A new partnership for change

Article Abstract:

To effect true health care reform while maintaining commitment to patients will require a partnership among physicians, government, business and the public. Currently, almost 37 million Americans have no health insurance, and a tremendous number of health-care dollars are wasted on administrative costs and unnecessary reviews, paperwork and procedures. The American Medical Association (AMA) has proposed a plan for reform, called Health Access America, with three objectives: to contain costs, to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable care and to maintain the high quality of medical care in the US. Cost containment will come through reform based on partnership and fair competition. Anti-trust laws should be revised to allow hospitals to consolidate their resources and eliminate duplication of expensive technologies. The medical profession's self-regulatory structure should be maintained, but the government and public should share in decision making.

Editorial, Planning, Political activity, Medical professions, Social policy, Health care reform

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