AMA Advocates 7 Principles for Health System Reform (HSR)

Following the news regarding legislative proposals for Health System Reform (HSR) can be stressful for all of us, with all of its complexities, and our concerns about the future availability of quality, affordable care.

In my search for sources of information that look at the facts of current legislative proposals, I believe that the American Medical Association (AMA) offers a perspective that is truly concerned about patients having access to quality, affordable care.

The AMA has studied health system issues and advocated for constructive reforms for over 20 years. As an organization that is driven by the time, energy, and experience offered by volunteer physicians, the AMA advocates for 7 guiding principles to achieve meaningful health system reform.

As we follow the debate and proposed legislation, the AMA continues to monitor proposed legislation as measured against these 7 guiding principles, commenting on how well legislative proposals live up to these principles.
-Provide health insurance coverage for all Americans.
-Enact insurance market reforms that expand the choice of affordable coverage and eliminate denials for pre-existing conditions or due to arbitrary caps.
-Assure that health care decisions are made by patients and their physicians, not by insurance companies or government bureaucrats. This sacred bond should include the right of patients to privately contract with physicians, so that their health care choices are respected.
-Provide investments and incentives for initiatives that improve quality and enhance prevention and wellness.

-Repeal the Medicare physician payment formula … a formula that will trigger steep cuts and threaten access to care for senior citizens.

-Implement medical liability reforms to reduce the cost of defensive medicine.

-Streamline and standardize insurance claims processing requirements to eliminate unnecessary costs and administrative burdens.

The AMA web site has lots of useful information for patients and their families, in addition to their perspective on the latest legislative proposals, and how they “measure up” to each of the 7 principles. You can find more information at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/patients/patients.shtml