Facing staunch Republican opposition and growing public anxiety over his health reform plan, President Barack Obama took the opportunity in June to gather physician support and intensify his promotion of health reform.
In a June 15 keynote speech at the American Medical Association's annual conference in Chicago, Obama said his reform plan would not require patients to change doctors or lose their employer-based health insurance. He said it would not bring about rationed care, as some of his opponents argue.
The speech comes as the Obama administration works for bipartisan cooperation in passing a comprehensive health reform bill by Oct. 1, 2009.
"Make no mistake: The cost of our healthcare 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."
Obama thanked doctors for their dedication to their patients and sought to curb the fears of those who are skeptical of reform. He said the main objectives of his reform plan are to reduce costs and make quality, affordable healthcare available to everyone.
To a standing ovation of AMA members, Obama said, "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 healthcare system should let you be."
He added 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."
Obama called for physicians' help to make his reform plan work. "To most Americans, you are the healthcare system, he said." He also told physicians he would 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 healthcare, and we support reforms that preserve that relationship and keep medical decisions in the hands of patients and physicians."