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Notes from the Government Relations General Session – Hall D – 2-H
Juan Williams, senior national correspondent for NPR and contributor for Fox News
Focusing on the Evolving Reality of Healthcare Reform
Talk given as a hypothetical conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a time of great change in America.
- 8.5% unemployment. Deep, long-lasting recession
- 25% of population under the age of 18 years old
- 20% of population over the age of 65
- In 2011, first of baby boomers will turn age 65, this will increase rapidly
- Older people mostly white
- Younger people mostly of color
Lots of change, what is going on with healthcare?
Education, energy (renewable energy), healthcare reform
17% of GNP is used on health care costs. Projection is 25%, at that time it will be a large burden on the government and on employers. May cripple the entire US economy. We are at a critical point.
45 mil uninsured
25 mil inadequate insurance
Biggest fear losing job, 2nd is losing health insurance,
Fear that a catastrophy (medical) will bankrupt family.
France, GB,germany, japan – spends ½ of what we do, but our people are more unhealthy
The truth: doctors are frustrated with this system. Opting out of medicare, not accepting new patients with medicare. Reimbursement rates are too low and require so much paperwork. Congress has to pass a band-aid every year to keep up with bare minimums.
Young people don’t want to go into medicine anymore. Not worth all the work, effort.
- Truman 1945 – Tried to change system – killed
- Nixon – got nowhere
- Clinton – nowhere
- Don’t like socialized medicine
75% Americans want the healthcare system fixed right now.
Kaiser family foundation poll: 71% want employers to offer healthcare or pay into a govt plan to cover their employees
25% only agree to have this reform if this requires some layoffs
Plan: an American solution.
- Keep it employer based
- Quality solution
- Solve physician payment problems
- Doctors aren’t the bad guys
- Obama plan: set out some broad principles, but leave the details to congress to figure out
- Cost containment
- Coverage and portability
- More use of technology
- Emphasis on wellness
- Doctors paid not for visits, tests, but for high quality results
September deadline to get something done and have it on the president’s desk.
There is going to be a huge shift in the way the insurance companies are dealt with by the federal government.
Making sure that prices are predictable and limited.
His message to the group: We, as America’s leaders in medicine, require us to take an active role in offering an example of effective leadership. Given our stature, intelligence, and ability – we are at a moment of history when we should become leaders and shape the reality that is to come as far as healthcare reform is concerned.