Where Doctors Stand

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Price (Ga.), a physician by trade, wasn't impressed with the White House event yesterday with doctors who support health care reform. On a conference call organized by the RNC, Price said, "I would suggest that a real cross-section of doctors would not be applauding a government takeover of healthcare." Putting aside the tiresome and faulty premise -- in reality, reform proposals do not constitute a "government takeover" -- Price seems to think he knows what physicians want from the health care system. Perhaps he's out of the medical-community loop -- most doctors not only support reform proposals, but also endorse a public option. Indeed, a large, independent study was recently conducted, which found 63% of doctors say they favor giving patients a choice that would include both public and private insurance. An additional 10% want a single-payer system.

Taken together, "nearly three-quarters of physicians supported some form of a public option, either alone or in combination with private insurance options."

What's more, this is increasingly becoming the focus of reform advocates' pitch to the public. The DNC's Organizing for America unveiled this ad earlier today, featuring "a direct appeal from a doctor and a nurse making the case for the urgent need for health insurance reform." The press release added that the ad will run on national cable outlets beginning tomorrow for the next two weeks.

The White House also released

this morning, showing testimonials from physicians who attended yesterday's Rose Garden event, all of whom offered their support for Democratic proposals.

It's a shame Tom Price wasn't there; he might have learned something.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The GOP is fighting a losing battle basing their opposition on a mountain of inaccuracies and flat-out lies. They'll pay the price in 2010 - a heavy price - unless the Dems can't muster to pass meaningful reform with the majorities they have been given in both chambers of Congress in 2008.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Dems will be the ones paying the price. The polls show it (since you guys love polls so much)...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Dems will be the ones paying the price. The polls show it (since you guys love polls so much)...

The polls show that strong majorities want choice and competition - the majority wants a public option. If the Dems pass reform to include it - and it looks ever more likely that they will - they have nothing to fear in 2010. The Republicans have no public support - the polls show it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Dems will be the ones paying the price. The polls show it (since you guys love polls so much)...

So then the Republicans have nothing to worry about. They can sit back and watch the Democrats' policies fail on their own accord. Yet they won't sit back...they are fighting this tooth and nail because they know that if a public option is included and a bill is passed, Americans will like it just like they do with Social Security and Medicare. They fear it will be a success.