FP Report -- July 1999
Thanks for the feedback!
In May, Academy members received a letter from AAFP President Lanny Copeland, M.D., of Albany, Ga., who chairs the new Task Force on Universal Coverage. The letter came with a business reply card for the member to jot down feedback for the task force, and the responses are pouring in!
So far, the task force has received about 4,500 cards, letters and e-mails. Each one is being read to help the task force determine its next steps. The responses to date have been overwhelmingly in favor of the concept of universal coverage, but that's where uniformity ends.
4,500
members
respond to
AAFP about
universal
coverageHere are some examples:
- "As the richest society on earth, it's unconscionable to ration health care based on the ability to pay or based on employment status. It's time we physicians took a stand, even if it means a salary reduction!"
- "Of course universal coverage is a good idea, but the bottom line is: Who is going to pay for it?"
- "I work in the inner city and I see patients who have money for clothes, cars, jewelry, cell phones, cable TV and cigarettes. I can hardly believe that a majority of the 43 million people couldn't pay for health insurance if they wanted it and recognized its necessity. Lack of health insurance is not a consequence of poverty for many, but rather a deliberate choice of priorities."
Copeland said, "We'd like to thank Academy members for taking the time to let us know how they feel about this important issue. We will take your ideas into consideration and leave no stone unturned as we explore mechanisms that would allow all Americans to afford and receive high-quality health care."
If you'd still like to share your thoughts with the task force, you can send e-mail to fp@aafp.org with Universal Coverage on the subject line. Or send a letter to the Task Force on Universal Coverage, AAFP, 8880 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department. Copyright © 1999 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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