Earlier today, the American Medical Association (AMA) released a letter that Politico describes as an endorsement of “Obama-style health reform.” Adding that the White House is sure to use this letter to “undermine the GOP response.” Based on that description, the AMA must have really come out strong in favor of Obamacare, right? Wrong.
The Open Letter to the President from AMA President J. James Rohack MD reminds us of the long-running sitcom Seinfeld, because it is a letter about nothing. It offers no specifics, offers no endorsement and mostly offers rhetoric all sides completely agree with. In honor of football’s return this week, let’s break the letter down John Madden-style:
The Coin Flip: They remind the President he has a historic opportunity and urges him to seek an agreement on reform that includes “critical elements.” So far, a very cordial introduction. This is the obligatory handshake before the game and everyone is smiling.
“Provide Health Insurance Coverage for All Americans”: On the ensuing kickoff, everyone goes to the kitchen to grab snacks because everyone in America has already agreed that the goal is to get more U.S. citizens insured. This team has no opponents.
“Enact insurance market reforms that expand choice of affordable coverage and eliminate denials for pre-existing conditions”: On the opening drive, the AMA fumbles. They are asking the President and lawmakers to expand “choice”, except the President’s current plan only limits it. In fact, under his current plan, millions of Americans would have no choice but to be knocked out of their current private coverage and forced into a government-run plan. That certainly does not represent an expansion of “choice.”
“Assure that health care decisions are made by patients and their physicians, not by insurance companies or government officials”: Conservatives score. This line clearly demonstrates that the AMA is NOT endorsing the President’s plan, since his plan is fundamentally built around government officials making health care decisions. And what is the easiest way to achieve the goal of less government intervention? Pretty easy. Don’t create a government-run health care system to start with. Period. This play was definitely not designed to show support for President Obama’s plan.
Incentives, reforms, streamlining: The AMA does not advance the ball here. They use vague language to say that reform of the current health care system is necessary, costs must be reduced and administrative burdens should be eliminated. We agree. Does the AMA believe that adding a government bureaucracy will reduce costs or eliminate administrative burdens? Has any government program ever achieved this benchmark? No.
“The [AMA] and our individual members are working hard to improve health care delivery…”: The AMA misses the trade deadline, not noticing that many of their members are vocally opposing President Obama’s health care plans. As Forbes magazine put it best: “If the AMA can’t squelch this grassroots rebellion, it might be less able, in the future, to claim to represent doctors in public policy debates.”
“We reaffirm our commitment to work with each of you…”: And the game is over. The AMA said nothing. They did not endorse Obamacare, nor did they promote the general principles which are rooted in Obamacare.
Medical practitioners and members of the AMA must be upset today, because Dr. Rohack sent them into the game without a cohesive strategy for success and without representing the interests of his membership. Rohack merely offered a laundry list of vague pleasantries. President Obama will undoubtedly brag of this “endorsement,” but what did they actually endorse? Nothing.
The White House splashed news about an advisory panel report predicting 90,000 would die from the swine flu this fall. Today, the press is reporting that the US government’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) thinks that estimate could be way too high. Americans should take the upcoming flu season seriously. They should definitely not panic….but they should prepare. Here are the facts.
About 30,000 people die from medical complications after the flu every year. We live in a country of 300 million so while the odds are with you, you should still take the flu seriously. When individuals don’t get the flu or take appropriate actions if they do get sick, they help keep it from spreading and that helps all of us.
More people will likely get sick this flu season and more than usual may go to the hospital…and some more may die. That is because the swine flu (H1N1) could prove more contagious than regular seasonal flues and some populations that are not normally susceptible to getting very sick (such as young adults) may get sick more often and sicker than usual. Here is what we as Americans need to do:
By most estimates, H1N1 vaccines will not be generally available until October, well after the US flu season is underway. Americans will need to listen and follow vaccination guidance. The most critical elements of a national strategy are not that every individual has to be vaccinated, but that a sufficient percentage of the population is vaccinated to prevent recurring pandemic. In addition, as many individuals in high-risk categories as possible should be vaccinated. Individuals should also seek to get seasonal flu vaccines. Even though the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent H1N1, or even protect individuals against every strain of seasonal flu that might appear this fall, it will reduce the burden on medical providers and losses in productivity due to illness.
Without vaccines the single greatest contribution the public can make is limiting their opportunities to get the disease. Here public officials have distributed ample guidelines on preventative measures to take. Preventative measures mirror those for seasonal flu. They include practices such as:
- Washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water and avoid touching mouth, noses, and eyes with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces.
- Not sharing water bottles and drinking containers.
- Avoiding people who are sick and exposure to coughing and sneezing.
- Individuals who are sick should cough or sneeze into their sleeve. They should stay at home if they are sick.
- Seek medical attention when appropriate.
Individuals, families, businesses, and community groups can help mitigate the effects of the flu season. Their plans should primarily focus on contingencies if individuals have to stay home from school or work or if key personnel are not available for several days. The best and effective responses will likely be locally developed and implemented. The greater the scope and severity of the pandemic, the more individuals in communities will have to rely on each other. Likely as not many of the resources they will need to sustain their communities will be locally available as well.