Health care presser lies, Pt. 5: Claiming the medical industry supports health care overhaul
President Obama claimed during his health care press conference that the medical industry is supporting his efforts to reform the way Americans receive health care services. Actually, medical groups are split in their support.
From the New York Times:
Mr. Obama said doctors, nurses, hospitals, drug companies and AARP had supported efforts to overhaul health care.
While it is true the American Medical Association has endorsed a bill drafted by House Democratic leaders, a half-dozen state medical societies have sharply criticized provisions that would establish a new government-run health insurance plan.
Likewise, Mr. Obama said Medicare could save large amounts of money by creating “an independent group of doctors and medical experts who are empowered to eliminate waste and inefficiency” and hold down the annual increases in payments to health care providers.
Far from supporting this proposal, the American Hospital Association is urging hospital executives to lobby against it.
Sources:
The New York Times, July 22, 2009
Experts Dispute Some Points in Health Talk
The Washington Post, July 22, 2009
