Air Date: May 3, 2011
Host: Vic Eliason
Guest: Jane Orient
Show Audio
Dr. Jane Orient, MD, is the Executive Director of Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a voice for patients’ and physicians’ independence since 1943. She has practiced general internal medicine since 1981. Dr. Orient is the author of the book, YOUR Doctor Is Not In: Healthy Skepticism about National Health Care.
The AAPS is the only national medical association to go to court to fight implementation of the recently passed HealthCare law, also called “Obamacare”. It is Dr. Orient’s position that Obamacare “will increase individual health insurance costs, and if the federal government puts price controls on the premiums, the companies will simply have to go out of business. Promises are made, but the Plan will deliver higher costs, more hassles, fewer choices, less innovation, and less patient care.”
A big part of the problem is the perception that the government is providing free or very inexpensive healthcare. Other programs that have promised government payment of health costs, including Medicare, have resulted in many more people going for treatment for even minor ailments, thus clogging the system. In addition, the added regulations and paperwork that accompany any government program increase costs and lower the efficiency of providing the service.
Some states are already working to pass laws to make it illegal to require someone to purchase health insurance in those states, and some are seeking to nullify the entire national health care plan within their borders.
Callers gave examples the kinds of problems described, and also asked about health care for illegal aliens, those who are out of work, and those who make too much money for Medicaid, but not enough to purchase health insurance.
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