President Obama took the opportunity to gather physician support and intensify his promotion of health reform at a keynote speech Monday before the American Medical Association. Obama assured listeners that his reform plan would not require patients to change doctors or lose their employer-based health insurance. It would not bring about rationed care, as some of his opponents argue.
The speech comes as the Obama administration is working to urge bipartisan cooperation in passing a comprehensive health reform bill by Oct. 1, 2009.
"Make no mistake: The cost of our health care is a threat to our economy," the president said. "It's an escalating burden on our families and businesses. It's a ticking time bomb for the federal budget. And it is unsustainable for the United States of America."
He said the moment is right for health reform. "We know this is a historic opportunity we've never seen before and may not see again. But we also know that there are those who will try and scuttle this opportunity no matter what - who will use the same scare tactics and fear-mongering that's worked in the past."
Obama thanked doctors for their dedication to their patients and made efforts to curb the fears of those who are skeptical of change. He said the main objective of his reform plan is to permanently bring down costs and make quality, affordable health care available to every American.
Obama said to a standing ovation of AMA members: "you did not enter this profession to be bean-counters and paper-pushers. You entered this profession to be healers - and that's what our health care system should let you be."
The president recognized that it "will be hard to make some of these changes if doctors feel like they are constantly looking over their shoulder for fear of lawsuits." He also acknowledged the cost of defensive medicine in the health system.
Obama called for physicians' help to make his reform plan work. "To most Americans, you are the health care system." He also told physicians he will listen to them, work with them and pursue reform that works for them.
In a statement following the speech, AMA President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, said, "The relationship between a patient and physician is the heart of health care, and we support reforms that preserve that relationship and keep medical decisions in the hands of patients and physicians."
"We are very pleased that President Obama has expressed an openness to medical liability reform as part of comprehensive health reform," Nielsen said. "Liability reform is clearly needed to help doctors implement best-practices in patient care and reduce unnecessary health costs."