National medical societies launch multi-state advertising campaign to oppose current health care bill

Today, a group of national medical societies launched a multi-state advertising campaign in opposition to H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate and making its way towards a final vote in the coming days. The groups are targeting key states, urging Senators to vote against a health care bill that is "bad medicine" for patients.

"Physicians know first hand that our health care system needs reform - but the current Senate health care bill is 'bad medicine' for patients," said Troy M. Tippett, M.D., President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. "The Senate bill inappropriately expands the role of the federal government in health care decision making, and undermines the doctor-patient relationship that is critical to a health care delivery system that works for patients."

"While we are united in our desire to improve health care and extend coverage, the current Senate bill is not the cure to what ails our health care system. It jeopardizes patient access to the physician of their choice," said Joseph D. Zuckerman, M.D., President of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "We urge the Senate to take a step back, and make essential changes to this bill before a rush to reform leads to a bad outcome for patients across the country."

Physician organizations supporting this initiative include: the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, National Association of Spine Specialists, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America.

Dozens of other medical groups, representing hundreds of thousands of physicians, are also on record opposing the current Senate health care reform bill.