National Physicians Alliance

"I am the President of our ER Physician group and people send me hardship letters weekly begging for discounts or write offs on their ER bill. They enclose their financial info to me and I have been truly appalled at what severe financial straits some of these people are in and how desperate they are. Many of them are students or elderly who just had a 'little accident' and had no idea how completely it would ruin their financial situation. I do what I can for them. My 'sound bite' is that my patients are now asking me, not if this procedure will hurt, but what will this cost?"

-Dr. Andrea Hanaway, Wayne, PA

Dear Supporter,

Those opposed to health care reform have huffed and puffed but our house stands strong! We are strong because the principles for which the NPA is fighting are what our patients and colleagues demand:

Affordable health care
System reforms that value quality care over quantity of care
Regulation of private health insurance companies to stop discriminatory practices
Inclusion of a public health insurance plan to create real competition in the insurance market

Despite what the media has been reporting this week, organizations representing 500,000 physicians have endorsed the House of Representatives bill HR 3200 (http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090717/hr3200_supportlist.pdf), and so have organizations that span from the League of Women Voters to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Why? Because this legislation would go a long way to achieving our principles, including a public health insurance option.

This is no time to give up! There is still plenty of time to make your voice heard at a Town Hall, at an in-district meeting with your Senators or Representative, or by writing a Letter-to-the-Editor of your local paper.

For a list of Town Halls by state/date:

http://npalliance.org/images/uploads/health_care_town_halls_082009.pdf

To search for Town Halls by zip code:

http://healthcareforamericanow.org/page/event/search_simple

For a list of NPA talking points:

http://npalliance.org/images/uploads/August_2009_Health_Reform_Overview-NPA.pdf

Thank you for making a difference!

Valerie Arkoosh, MD, MPH

Chair Secure Health Care For All

P.S. Here are two reports, both posted in the last 24 hours, worth reading:

1. How Does the Quality of U.S. Health Care Compare Internationally? http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/qualityquickstrikeaug2009.pdf

2. Rasmussen Report headlines: "Without Public Option, Enthusiasm for Health care Reform, Especially Among Democrats, Collapses." (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/august_2009/without_public_option_enthusiasm_for_health_care_reform_especially_among_democrats_collapses)