Anti-reform doctors seeking to rescind AMA endorsement are led by front group with insurer, GOP ties.
Anti-reform doctors seeking to rescind AMA endorsement are led by front group with insurer, GOP ties.
The House passed historic comprehensive health insurance reform on Saturday with the help of endorsements from hundreds of community organizations, including the American Medical Association. However, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that former AMA president Donald Palmisano is leading an effort to force the AMA to rescind its endorsement of the bill. As ThinkProgress first reported back in July, Palmisano’s organization Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights is being managed by the infamous lobbying firm known as DCI Group, which specializes in creating “credible coalition partners” to advance the interests of corporations. ThinkProgress’ Victor Zapanta caught up with Palmisano, who told us he supports the “patient-doctor relationship” where uninsured patients and patients who cannot afford care should simply beg for charity:
PALMISANO: If you have a problem, you would just say ‘look I have a financial problem, can you help me’ and doctors will help you. If somebody couldn’t pay, we just send them a note, ‘you haven’t paid, is there a reason you can’t pay?’ All they have to do is give us any reason and we just wrote off the bill, forgot the bill. That’s what doctors do.
Watch it:
DCI Group, in addition to its record of setting up “Smokers’ Rights” fronts for tobacco companies, has worked closely the private health insurance industry in the past to thwart legislation to improve the health care system. Additionally, Palmisano has been working closely with Republican lawmakers, like Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), who are most interested in torpedoing health reform to score political points.
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Please ignore Doctor House and Cox they are jerks.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:37 pmWell paint me as being surprised !
What are the odds that this group is also saying that they are the ones representing the “real” doctors.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:38 pm“If you have a problem, you would just say ‘look I have a financial problem, can you help me’ and doctors will help you. If somebody couldn’t pay, we just send them a note, ‘you haven’t paid, is there a reason you can’t pay?’ All they have to do is give us any reason and we just wrote off the bill, forgot the bill. That’s what doctors do.”
Uh, have you practiced medicine in the last 20 years ?
A few docs out there will do that. But this is rapidly becoming a lost aspect.
And what about when you need that medicine. Does the drug store do the same ?
November 9th, 2009 at 5:40 pmAbsolutely no surprise here. You hate reform?? — then you are lying GOP, big insurance companies, or wacko tea-baggers. Any sane, caring American wants & needs health care reform — because it benefits THEM. GOP/rightwingers/tea-baggers – it benefits their bank account.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:40 pmThis jackass is a doctor AND an attorney.
He thinks he knows everything, and then looks in the mirror and tells himself he’s right.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:44 pmOT
November 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pmIs it just me? Everytime I hit the back arrow I end up with that annoying Palin thread with the thalidomide arm…
I worked for physicians-we sent you the bill–you didn’t pay you go to collection.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:48 pmWhat planet does he spend most of his time on that does not have collection agencies that call your home, place of work and relatives at all hours of the day and night?
November 9th, 2009 at 5:49 pmThat’s just Palin trying to pull the arrow out of her back.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pmWhat fraking world does he live in?
November 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pmIn the real world, some Doctors will forgive a bill, some Doctors will see you even if you can’t pay, BUT more often then not if you can’t pay up front they will tell you to go to the emergency room and if you do not pay your bill they will send your account to a collection agency.
No, really!
November 9th, 2009 at 5:51 pmThat’s all you have to do!
Just give ‘em a reason and all is forgiven!
It’s that simple.
It’s all good!
Really!
PALMISANO: If you have a problem, you would just say ‘look I have a financial problem, can you help me’ and doctors will help you. Yadda, yadda, yadda… That’s what doctors do.
– - Speaking of “smoker’s rights,” I think Palmisano’s stoned.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:55 pmWe just wrote off the bill ? Forgot the bill ?
Okay… I suspect there’s a grain of truth to that.
They may have written it off, but I’m sure they reported it as
a loss on their income tax.
Whether they like it or not, Americans pay for the uninsured,
November 9th, 2009 at 5:56 pmone way or another.
Well, I guess I can go to the doctor now, maybe even get a little dental work done.
I’ll just send ‘em a note telling them I can’t pay, and they’ll understand.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:58 pmDoctor:
“Uh, I can’t afford my malpractice insurance premiums anymore if I’m going to treat patients without charge…”
Insurance company:
“Do we know you?”
(Next insurance company):
November 9th, 2009 at 5:58 pm“We’re sorry Doctor, but you have a pre-existing condition…”
Gee, Shocker! not
November 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pmat least they still have their sweet PhaRma perks to keep their faces tanned and oiled
Anyone who helps put this stinking pile of dung where it belongs (in the garbage can) deserves our cheers, not approbation. The bill is a disaster. Kill it now!
Any true progressive would be howling with indignation about the crap the Democrats are trying to sell us. We need REAL health care reform, not this fakery.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pmYou really don’t have to follow the money very far these days, do you.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:10 pmWonder how many doctors truly tie themselves to this principle of patients begging for freebies? And do insurance groups apply this as well?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
November 9th, 2009 at 6:10 pmOf course these jerks keep up the myth of the independent solo practicioner. That isn’t the way medicine is practiced in the 21st century. The overwhelming majority of our medical school grads work for corporate clinics or hospitals that will harass and pursue patients for their money, if not deny them treatment altogether. The public health plan is the only way to get these folks health care and to get American doctors imbursed for all of the services they provide.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:11 pmTapsJohn
We need REAL reform. Sure. What we dont need is brainwashed morons like you stopping by to regurgitate what Rush TOLD you to think
November 9th, 2009 at 6:19 pmAlthough there is very little Dr. Palisamo and I agree on the fact is that he has given much free care. I work in the Northeast and my collegues and I have never turned away a patient because they cannot pay. Our problem is that some individuals who can pay choose not to do so.
I strongly support the efforts that are being make for health care reforn. Maybe a little less venom and a touch more dialogue would help.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pmafamilydoc says:
I strongly support the efforts that are being make for health care reforn. Maybe a little less venom and a touch more dialogue would help.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Tell that to your buddy, Palmisamo. He’s the one who would keep access to health care away from millions of Americans.
Pardon me if I’m pissed off about that.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:36 pmI wish Palmisano could explain how the doctor/patient privilege is abrogated by the health care bill. The bill does nothing to that privilege. If you are insured your doctor/patient privilege is waived by reason of the insurance companies requesting medical records from your doctor. The health care bill would not alter this relationship. Palmisano is pulling things out of the air.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:40 pmThis doctor was a guest on washington journal last Oct 6 and he spewed the typical frank luntz fear mongering talking points. He is a bought and paid for piece of opportunistic crap who apparently gave up on his hippocratic oath years ago. You can see him spewing the luntz points at…
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/10/06/HP/A/23973/Dr+Donald+Palmisano+Coalition+to+Protect+Patients+Rights+President.aspx
November 9th, 2009 at 6:55 pmTell that to my best friend whose dentist discovered, after filing down all the enamel of her four front teeth, that they’d misunderstood her coverage, and that her insurance wouldn’t cover the crowns – so they sent her home without capping her teeth and refused to work with her on a payment plan. They gave her temporary caps that she has to re-affix with denture glue every 3-4 hours just so she can function. Her front teeth are nothing but roots now. I’m sure my friend would laugh at this quote, if it weren’t so painful for her to do so.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:34 pmIf you have a problem, you would just say ‘look I have a financial problem, can you help me’ and doctors will help you. If somebody couldn’t pay, we just send them a note, ‘you haven’t paid, is there a reason you can’t pay?’ All they have to do is give us any reason and we just wrote off the bill, forgot the bill. That’s what doctors do.
Tell that to the credit reporting agencies for me, thanks. I look forward to seeing those charges disappear. I was denied coverage for having a pre-existing condition.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:37 pmWE NEED SINGLE PAYER NOW
Taosjohn is right, this bill is nothing more than the status quo written into law with a bailout for the insurance companies thrown in for good measure.
Dennis Kucinich was right to vote against the bill. I find it hilarious that Republicans are arguing against this bill, because the way it is written all it does is make sure that all Americans give private insurers money for bad coverage.
I am one of the few Americans that lived in a Single Payer system, Canada. This bill is total crap, and somewhere there is a health insurance CEO drinking champagne right now because the Democrats didn’t have the guts to give us what we needed, single payer.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:02 pm.
Dear Dr. Palmisano,
You trade a hefty bargain; Blood for money.
.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:52 amDr. Palmisano must assume that none of us has had friends and members of our family that got snowed under with medical bills and had to declare bankruptcy to avoid the constant harassment of debt collectors for the very doctors this guy is advocating for. Doctors surely have the right to get paid for their work. But that is the very reason so many of us patriotic and caring people are for a universal health care plan. Of course, Doctors can see their gravy train shrinking right in front of their eyes when a federal, universal health care system takes place. Then, patients will have some clout as they band together and fight for sensible medical care costs. And frankly, doctors will no longer have to worry about collecting their fees. And medical care can be accessed at an earlier time in the life of each illness, thus saving time and money. But as I say, doctor’s income will be somehat reduced but at least they will be paid a fair fee for their services. It is the right thing to do!!!!!
November 10th, 2009 at 2:04 amIs this going to be the GOP health plan? A note TO the doctor, cool!
November 10th, 2009 at 10:08 amWhy didn’t we think of that? No cost medical care that’s even better than single payer.
All they have to do is give us any reason and we just wrote off the bill, forgot the bill. That’s what doctors do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Day after day these freaks continue to INSULT OUR intelligence . .
Go fly a kite, LOSER . .
November 10th, 2009 at 12:26 pmA large internationally known hospital/medical center in my town took the home of a man who because of his increasingly high medical bill could not keep up with the cost.
The man lived alone, had no relatives, had progressive medical problems that required continuing care and was confined to a wheel chair. He had some income source but it was not enough to keep up with the medical bills. The hospital took the man to court and won a judgement against the man’s house.
The hospital started the eviction process and just as the man was about to be removed by the authorities one of the neighbors notified the local press.
I don’t remember the final outcome but I do know that the hospital did not write off the bill. Not in this reality.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:44 pmSome physicians want reform? Try 3 out of 4.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09312/1011433-109.stm
ANd medical organizations? 9 out of 10!
Now that the American Society of Anesthesiology has voted to support the House Bill, we now have an AMAZING NINE OF of the TEN largest physicians organizations supporting reform.
http://cmhmd.blogspot.com/2009/10/american-psychiatric-association-voted.html
Even if you take out the AMA and AOA as a friend suggested because they are multispecialty groups, we have 8 of the ten largest physician specialty organizations supporting reform. The American College of Radiology is still against it, the American College of Emergency Physicians (# 9) has still not committed and the American College of Cardiology ( which I’m pretty sure is # 10) is on board.
That’s about as close as you can get to running the table with physicians groups.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm