Historic Universal Health Care Bill Passes

Friends,

On Sunday March 21st, Barrack Obama’s Health Care Reform Bill was passed. This bill has been strongly supported by many, including the American Medical Association and myself, from the beginning of the reform’s debates.

As mentioned in the AMA’s Health System Reform Plan PDF from my last entry, it is crucial that ALL Americans receive health care and that the highest quality care possible is made affordable.

The goals of Obama’s health care reform bill run parallel to those of the AMA’s reform plan which are universal high-quality health care at affordable. This reform bill is a step in the right direction.

Universal coverage is a goal that has eluded Presidents going at least as far back as Teddy Roosevelt, and Obama’s bill comes as close to that target as anyone has. The bill would provide health coverage to an estimated 32 million additional Americans; meaning 95% of those who are legally in this country would have health insurance, up from 83% today.

The bill also promises to rein in health costs by reorienting the practice of medicine, making it more efficient, with health care providers rewarded on how well they treat their patients.

As a physician, I feel that this bill is the kind of reform our country has been waiting for. No longer do we need to fight the short-term, stopgap efforts of Congress. This reform has given us a point to stop, focus, and steadily progress in health care

This bill is extremely important to your health, your family’s health, and your relationship with your primary physician.

I compel you to research how this bill will affect you and your family and take the next appropriate steps in helping your family and our government moving forward in this health care reform.

Sincerely,