GOP Chair Michael Steele Attacks Credibility of AMA on Health Care Reform

Obama Doctors

It must have really frustrated the Republicans to see Barack Obama have a photo op to remind everyone that, unlike in past years, doctors are supporting health care reform. Unlike in past years when organized medicine even opposed the formation of Medicare, the American Medical Association has endorsed the House proposal. Over seven out of ten doctors even support the public option.

If doctors could simply write a prescription to fix the health care system, we’d probably already have Medicare for All and have avoided all the political nonsense this year. Of course there are variations in opinion between doctors, such as seen in the case of the doctor cited in the linked article opposing health care reform due to believing the Republican misinformation claiming Obama would cut Medicare. In reality the proposed cuts are to the subsidies paid to insurance companies in Medicare Advantage plans.

The considerable amount of support for health care reform among physicians has prompted a response from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. Speaking on Fox (of course) Steele said, “The AMA is–does not have the credibility on this health care issue, as they would like to project.” This division between physicians and the Republican Party is a welcome change.

Who do you trust on health care issues–doctors or the Republican Party? We report, you decide.

1 Comment

  1. 1
    Eclectic Radical says:

    ‘Steele said, “The AMA is–does not have the credibility on this health care issue, as they would like to project.”’
     
    I’ve always been fascinated by the Republican take on professional associations. The AMA has no credibility on health care. Teachers’ groups have no credibility on education. Police groups have no credibility on drug policy.
    Unless they agree with Republicans, in which case they are hallowed experts who should be obeyed as if they spoke from the mount.
     
    Perhaps it’s not really all these groups that disagree with the Republicans who have no credibility. Perhaps it is the GOP itself to whom credence should not be given.
     

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