Once Its Greatest Foes, Doctors Are Embracing Single-Payer

[egbertowillies]

When the American Medical Association — one of the nation’s most powerful health care groups — met in Chicago this June, its medical student caucus seized an opportunity for change.

Though they had tried for years to advance a resolution calling on the organization to drop its decades-long opposition to single-payer health care, this was the first time it got a full hearing. The debate grew heated — older physicians warned their pay would decrease, calling younger advocates naïve to single-payer’s consequences. But this time, by the meeting’s end, the AMA’s older members had agreed to at least study the possibility of changing its stance.

https://singlepayerhealthcarenow.com/2018/08/10/doctors-embracing-single-payer/

[Hoyt]

1. While there have been some small physician organizations to come out in support, this would be a big

big deal if the largest physician lobbying group supported single-payer or Public Option.

Hope the AMA doesn't drag its feet in studying it. The majority of students are plenty happy to walk into jobs that pay $150,000 - $250,000 for common specialties. That's what we need more of. But the old guys are going to hold out, I'm afraid.

[marylandblue]

4. The future belongs to the young

But I'm sure even the old folks don't like hassling with a dozen different insurance companies, each with its own rules. At least single payer gives one set of rules and one payment schedule.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

2. Even my Mayo Docs I know favor Single Payer.....

Takes a lot of pressure off the to write letters on a constant basis for why they need to cover tests and treatments for their patients. Health Insurers decide what they will cover. That leaves too many people deciding to treat their illnesses the way Doctors need to treat them. Doctors see that it is the Health Insurers that get in the way between them and their patients.

[underpants]

6. Having one set of negotiated standards and rates would seem to make sense

but private insurers rely heavily on confusion, complexity, and adjustable (by them) multipliers

[bronxiteforever]

3. K & R. Single payer is inevitable and young physicians

Are supporters because they know it is the only system that makes sense.

[MaryMagdaline]

5. They favor single payer, ie Medicare because it pays more than private insurance,

Especially for specialists. No altruism here. HMOs killed doctors, now they’re desperate to get a decent rate for their services.

[elias7]

7. Ummmm, no.

We will be paid less since Medicare pays .85 on the dollar compared to insurance companies. Medicaid pays even less, sometimes closer to .50 on the dollar. But, it is the only fair system in which everyone can be covered. Thanks for the ,”no altruism here” comment. I’m only in it for the money, as far as you know.

[MaryMagdaline]

8. All of the specialists we go to, neurologist, eye doctor

Heart, pulmonologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist told us they were happy when my husband was on Medicare as opposed to united healthcare PPO and Humana PPO. Is that because it is Florida? I know Florida medicare is better, don’t know why.

Yes of course, Medicaid pays nothing but people on Medicaid never had good insurance to compare it to.

2 of our doctors are Dems/rest are anti-socialized medicine Republicans. They ALL said Medicare paid them more.