Family Physicians to White House and Congress: Health of Citizenry Underpins Security and Economy

WASHINGTON -- “We commend President Bush for placing high priority on a patients’ bill of rights, the plight of the uninsured, and providing a prescription drug benefit for seniors in his State of the Union address last night.

“This is a new era for America, when security and economic concerns are paramount and the health of our citizens underpins our country’s security and economy. We must act to ensure that every American has access to appropriate medical care as determined by their physician, not by their managed care provider. We are encouraged that the discussions between the White House and Capitol Hill may finalize patients’ rights legislation.

“And what about the uninsured and underinsured? Even in good economic times, there were 39 million Americans without health insurance, including 8 million children. The current economic downturn has the potential to increase those numbers dramatically. Uninsured people end up in the emergency room twice as often as people with insurance – many times with problems that could have been avoided if the patients had coverage to obtain preventive care.

“We need a national discussion of, and a national solution to, the plight of the un- and underinsured. Health care coverage for all people will be hard to achieve, but if not now, when? There are some good ideas out there – let’s get them on the table and build a system that will provide good basic health care for everyone in America and will protect against catastrophic medical expenses.

“The cost of prescription drugs continues to grow, outpacing the ability of many seniors to afford their medicines. No one should have to choose between appropriate medication and a decent meal. Family physicians and their elderly patients look to Washington to solve this dilemma.

“The recent threat of bioterrorism proves that a strong health care system and a strong public are essential to a secure country. As sentinel family physicians who provide primary care for all ages and both genders, our members continue to be on the frontlines of care – whether it’s explaining the difference between anthrax and flu symptoms, helping an elderly patient figure out how to afford medication, or helping an uninsured parent get the vaccinations a family needs to stay healthy. A patients’ bill of rights, assistance for the un- and underinsured, and a prescription drug benefit for seniors are all important components of a healthy, secure citizenry.”