While the details of the "public option" remain to be seen, critics are already quick to point to the likelihood that such an entity would merely build upon a faulty program and result in a disservice to beneficiaries and providers alike.
It is important to note, however, that there is nothing mandating that the federal government, while certainly providing the initial funding, needs or should be the body administering this option.
There is potential benefit, for both patients and providers, in having decisions regarding coverage and reimbursement be physician driven.
Given that insurance is regulated on a state level, state medical societies, whether working independently or in conjunction with other entities (such as government representatives and even plan beneficiaries) may be a logical option to fill this role.
it is incomprehensible that, in this time of passionate debate, no one has seen fit to comment on the notion that a physician organization (such as a state medical society) administer the 'public-option'
ReplyDeleteThis may be one reason.
ReplyDeleteJudge Andrew Napolitano points out constitutional issues
ReplyDeleteClyde Locke MD, Richard Izquierdo MD, and myself proposed a 'Medical Corps" (similar to the old job corps) run solely by health care professionals for those NYS citizens unable to be insured (or inadequately insured) in the current market.
ReplyDeleteWe suggested that the buildings and supplies be either under the Federal or State budgets and that the physicians be salaried with other perks such as forgiveness of medical school debt and/or med-mal premium reductions, depending upon length of service.
We further suggested that this be run WITHOUT insurance company participation at all...otherwise it would NOT control costs. Other citizens could attend these centers on a sliding scale basis, but no insurance claims would be allowed.
(i refer folks) to the "Minority Report" to the MSSNY House of Delegates regarding the Health Care Reform Task Force headed by Bob Scher MD.
Your comment, that "No one has seen fit to comment on the notion that a PO (such as a state medical society administer the 'the public option'", surprised me...
... quite frankly...we were only the Minority section of that MSSNY report. Maybe its time to look at that 'Public Option' once again.
Patti McLaughlin, MD
I would echo Patti's comments and remind you that not only have we have been urging more physician control and plan development, but we have outlined strategies to achieve those goals.
ReplyDeleteClyde R Locke, MD