AMA APPLAUDS HOUSE VOTE FOR KID’S HEALTH CARE

Statement attributable to:        Nancy Nielsen, M.D.

                                                AMA President

 

“The AMA applauds members of the U.S. House for moving quickly to reauthorize SCHIP, the first step to getting more Americans health care coverage. Renewing SCHIP will ensure that millions of American children can see the doctor when they are sick and get needed preventive health care.

 

“Sharp increases in unemployment have likely added more children to the ranks of the uninsured and put increasing pressure on state health care programs. Making sure that all children have access to health care is an investment in America’s future and will enable kids to have the best chance to learn, develop and succeed in life. Increasing the tobacco tax to fund SCHIP is a win-win proposal to support our children’s health.

 

“We support and applaud the House passage of the SCHIP reauthorization. However, we oppose the inclusion of provisions that would place restrictions on physician ownership of hospitals, as these hospitals provide high quality care and patient satisfaction.”