NMA supports health system reform

"The National Medical Association believes the passage of health care legislation this weekend will be one of the most important steps Congress can take in securing America's future," remarked Dr. Willarda V. Edwards, president of the National Medical Association. "The NMA is hopeful that Sunday's vote will bring relief to millions of Americans who wonder what will happen to them if they get sick," she continued.

According to the schedule reported by the Majority Leader, the U.S. House of Representatives will convene to consider and vote on health care legislation on Sunday, March 21, 2010.  The Rules Committee of the House has posted the text of the reconciliation measure on their website.

The National Medical Association (NMA), the nation's largest organization of African American physicians, supports health system reform. The NMA supports this bill because it:

• Reorients the system toward prevention and wellness
• Closes the 'donut hole'
• Reforms insurance markets so that insured patients will receive better benefits, and patients outside of  the health care system have access to more affordable coverage
• Strengthens Medicare and Medicaid and protects the safety net
• Gives doctors more tools with which they can better coordinate care and improve health outcomes and
• Increases system efficiency and reduces costs.

The NMA will continue to advocate for provisions that increase the likelihood of reducing disparities in health status and health care delivery.  The NMA remains concerned that disparities cost the system an estimated $1.24 trillion between 2003 and 2006.  Health disparities result in many premature deaths every year, especially among ethnic and racial minorities.

"Sunday's vote will be an enormous first step and we will continue to press for a bill that will be beneficial to patients and physicians," concluded Dr. Edwards.