Page 9 - Delaware Medical Journal - September 2017
P. 9
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Exploring the Best Method to Finance Universal Health Care
PRAYUS TAILOR, MD
MSD President Prayus Tailor, MD is a Nephrologist who practices with Nephrology Associates in Newark and Wilmington.
As I write this September edition of the President’s Page, Republican efforts to repeal and/or replace
the Affordable Care Act have been unsuccessful. Major concerns over more Americans becoming uninsured and potential cuts to State Medicaid programs left the Better Care Reconciliation Act an unpalatable “bill” to swallow. And as our health care coverage for more people than ever before, we are reminded through the news and grass roots organizations like the Physicians for a National Health Program that other countries provide health care coverage to all their citizens at a lower cost and often with improved outcomes.
In 2006, the Medical Society of Delaware (MSD) House of Delegates endorsed
the idea of universal health care for all Delawareans when approving Resolution 06-02, which stated:
“Whereas, the number of uninsured has reached an all-time high; and
Whereas, this social problem has created access to care problems, cost shifting, and care system; and
Whereas, health insurance improves access to care; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has already passed legislation that requires every individual in the state to purchase health insurance, provides premium assistance for those making less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), and provides for low cost policies for those above 300 percent FPL; and
Whereas, the AMA in H-165.866 strongly
joint statement, “All Americans Must Have Health Insurance;” now therefore be it Resolved, that the Medical Society Delawareans must have health insurance; and be it further
Resolved, that the Medical Society
of Delaware makes universal health insurance a legislative priority until a satisfactory bill is passed and signed into law; and be it further
Resolved, that the Medical Society
of Delaware actively work with the Governor, Legislature, Insurance Commissioner, and other interested parties to pass such a law.”
While most physicians agree that universal health care coverage should exist, how controversial and often more confusing. One common error is using the terms “single payer” and “universal health care” interchangeably. They are indeed not the same. Universal health care is the idea that everyone should have access to health care through some form of coverage. Single payer, as further explained below, is but one of several ways to pay for universal health care. As explained by an article
in Forbes entitled “Universal Healthcare is Not Single Payer,” different platforms described. They are:
“Single Payer: The government provides insurance for all residents (or citizens) and
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