AMA Lines Up Against Public Health Insurance Plan

The health care debate takes another turn as the American Medical Association says it will oppose implementation of a government-sponsored medical insurance plan. The AMA’s justification for selling out to private insurance companies? A public insurance plan competing with private firms would limit patient choices.

The New York Times:

As the health care debate heats up, the American Medical Association is letting Congress know that it will oppose creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan, which President Obama and many other Democrats see as an essential element of legislation to remake the health care system.

The opposition, which comes as Mr. Obama prepares to address the powerful doctors’ group on Monday in Chicago, could be a major hurdle for advocates of a public insurance plan. The A.M.A., with about 250,000 members, is America’s largest physician organization.

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