AMA news

Physicians are certainly in favor of health coverage for all citizens, but the AMA’s announcement is somewhat vague.

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  June 13, 2006
  
  At its annual meeting today, the American Medical Association endorsed requiring individuals and families to obtain basic health care coverage as part of a legislative approach to covering the nation’s more than 46 million uninsured residents. The association said individuals and families earning more than 500% of the federal poverty level ($49,000 for an individual and $100,000 for a family of four) should be required to obtain a minimum of catastrophic health care and evidence-based preventive health care, using the tax structure to achieve compliance. The association said it would support a similar requirement for those earning less than 500% of the poverty level once a system of refundable tax credits or other subsidies to obtain health care coverage was implemented. The AMA said it will advocate for legislation that includes tax credits for the purchase of insurance, individually selected and owned health insurance, the expansion and formation of new health insurance options, changes in health insurance market regulations, and individual responsibility.

Should the government require citizens to purchase health insurance as stated? States certainly require you to have minimal car insurance for the privilege of driving, but requiring families to purchase health insurance is questionable. After all, living is not a privilege, or is it?

What does “using the tax structure to achieve compliance” really mean.

Many questions and not many specifics.