Comments on: ‘The Physician’s Role In Health Care Reform’ by Bruce Auerbach, M.D. http://commonhealth.wbur.org/massachusetts-medical-society/2009/05/the-physicians-role-in-health-care-reform-by-bruce-auerbach-md/ CommonHealth Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:13:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Helen http://commonhealth.wbur.org/massachusetts-medical-society/2009/05/the-physicians-role-in-health-care-reform-by-bruce-auerbach-md/comment-page-1/#comment-8656 Helen Fri, 29 May 2009 18:48:01 +0000 http://commonhealth.wbur.org/?p=1173#comment-8656 Yes, Bruce, it is clear that forcing people to buy an over-priced insurance policy does not equal reforms that bring about good and timely access to quality health care, in contrast to the disingenuous spin that Jarrett Barrios over at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MA would have us think. The self congragulatory drivel about the mandatory insurance law and it's "near-universal coverage" is sickening when you put it next to the harm the Mass. law has done to individuals and families. Tens of thousands, if not more, are now forced to pay bloated monthly premiums yet still cannot access the care they need. Municipal and state budgets that are facing excruciating deficits, in large measure due to the unabated soaring health costs as well as the economic crisis. We were told "access and coverage have to be done separately from cost control" How stupid do politicians think we are?? Yes, clinicians, of which I am one, can do a lot to improve the care we provide to our patients but we are crippled by working within a broken and dysfunctional system. Join with Dr. Howard Dean this Sunday 5/31/09 8pm to learn how you can do your part to advance meaningful health system reform. Doctors for America has extended an open invitation to an interactive webcast on health reform with Governor Howard Dean, MD, Sun., May 31, 8pm EDT. Register to attend here http://www.drsforamerica.org/dean/register Yes, Bruce, it is clear that forcing people to buy an over-priced insurance policy does not equal reforms that bring about good and timely access to quality health care, in contrast to the disingenuous spin that Jarrett Barrios over at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MA would have us think.

The self congragulatory drivel about the mandatory insurance law and it’s “near-universal coverage” is sickening when you put it next to the harm the Mass. law has done to individuals and families. Tens of thousands, if not more, are now forced to pay bloated monthly premiums yet still cannot access the care they need. Municipal and state budgets that are facing excruciating deficits, in large measure due to the unabated soaring health costs as well as the economic crisis.

We were told “access and coverage have to be done separately from cost control” How stupid do politicians think we are??

Yes, clinicians, of which I am one, can do a lot to improve the care we provide to our patients but we are crippled by working within a broken and dysfunctional system.

Join with Dr. Howard Dean this Sunday 5/31/09 8pm to learn how you can do your part to advance meaningful health system reform. Doctors for America has extended an open invitation to an interactive webcast on health reform with Governor Howard Dean, MD, Sun., May 31, 8pm EDT. Register to attend here http://www.drsforamerica.org/dean/register

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