Monday, September 14, 2009

NEJM - Doctors Support Public/Private Plans for HCR

The New England Journal of Medicine today reported results of a survey of over 5,000 physicians preferences for proposals under consideration for health care reform in the U.S. The surverys were taken between June 25 and September 3, 2009 and indicate most physicians (62.9%) prefer a reform plan with both public and private options for health insurance coverage.  Only 27.3% supported a system of private insurance only.

It doesn't seem surprising, considering physicians are well aware the difficulties their patients face in getting and keeping good private health insurance, not to mention the time and expense for physicians in processing health insurance claims.

The survey also indicated 58.3% of physicians support expansion of Medicare to cover Americans between ages 55 & 65.  More at the link below..

Doctors on Coverage — Physicians’ Views on a New Public Insurance Option and Medicare Expansion