AMA Annual Meeting: Universal Health Care Coverage and Physician Reform Top Agenda

Strategic Insights -

The American Medical Association (AMA) is preparing to tackle the thorny issue of universal health care coverage at its annual meeting in June 1994, where the organization will weigh in on whether to support employer-mandated health insurance or stick with fee-for-service and voluntary coverage. Meanwhile, physician reform and the AMA's stance on managed care will also be on the table.

Key Takeaways:

  • 70% of physicians favor an employer mandate, as shown in a recent AMA survey.
  • The AMA's proposal to require employers and individuals to buy health insurance, with the option of catastrophic coverage and tax-free medical savings accounts, has been criticized as a retreat from universal coverage by Democrats and some medical groups.
  • John Crosby, the AMA's senior vice president for health policy, warns that the chances for passing a moderate, market-based bill will fade after this year, as the Democrats are likely to lose seats in Congress in November.
  • A report to be presented to the house this week will discuss the pros and cons of a single-payer system, which some physicians are now considering as a solution to avoid interference from insurers.
  • 21 out of 49 responding state societies favor an employer mandate, revealing a divergence in opinion among state medical associations.
  • The AMA has already faced pressure from conservative delegates who want to drive the final stake into the employer mandate at this meeting.

Statistics:

  • 70% of physicians favor an employer mandate (AMA survey)
  • 21 out of 49 responding state societies favor an employer mandate (AMNews survey)
  • 10 state societies say members worry more about interference from insurers than from government (AMNews survey)
  • 5 societies favor a uniform national fee schedule collectively negotiated by doctors (AMNews survey)
  • 100 or more workers would be required to have employer-provided insurance under the AMA's compromise mandating plan (exact figures not provided)

Sources:

  • Internal document, AMA Annual Meeting agenda
  • AMNews survey of state societies before the meeting
  • AMA survey late last year
  • Chicago Tribune, "AMA Meeting: Physicians Will Debate Reform"
  • Medical News article, "AMA Annual Meeting: Registration Open"