It’s not surprising that physicians serving in Congress are as conflicted as their peers outside the Beltway when it comes to how best to achieve healthcare reform (“For Doctors, Little Harmony on Health Care,” New York Times, July 12, 2009).
What is surprising is how ignorant some physician/representatives are when it comes to existing options for their patients/constituents who are without health insurance. Representative Steve Kagen (D, WI) is upset that a patient cannot afford the medicines he prescribes, but seems ignorant or unwilling to recommend the many patient assistance programs available to those who earn too much to receive government assistance but too little to afford private insurance. Such programs are valuable options, providing free or low cost medicines to millions of Americans. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (toll-free, 1-888-4PPANOW; www.pparx.org) is a single point of access to the more than 475 patient assistance programs, which include more than 180 programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Kagen, the other physicians in Congress and every member of Congress should be aware of private sector healthcare access success programs before opting for a government-run public option.
What is surprising is how ignorant some physician/representatives are when it comes to existing options for their patients/constituents who are without health insurance. Representative Steve Kagen (D, WI) is upset that a patient cannot afford the medicines he prescribes, but seems ignorant or unwilling to recommend the many patient assistance programs available to those who earn too much to receive government assistance but too little to afford private insurance. Such programs are valuable options, providing free or low cost medicines to millions of Americans. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (toll-free, 1-888-4PPANOW; www.pparx.org) is a single point of access to the more than 475 patient assistance programs, which include more than 180 programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Kagen, the other physicians in Congress and every member of Congress should be aware of private sector healthcare access success programs before opting for a government-run public option.
