David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P., director of the Institute for Health Policy and an advisor to the Obama campaign, earlier this month published a sharp critique of Sen. McCain’s health care plan in the New England Journal of Medicine. "Primum Non Nocere — The McCain Plan for Health Insecurity" identifies McCain’s proposals with the Bush administration’s health policies, and warns that the Republican candidate’s plan would decimate the current employer-sponsored health insurance system.

Of course, in one sense no surprise -- the NEJM emanates from a very liberal area, and Blumenthal is an Obama advisor. But, I think there’s something of interest here for you, regardless of who you support in the presidential campaign. McCain wants to unleash the free market to lower costs, promote choice, and improve quality... Who can argue with that? But, given the complexity of health care, moving toward that goal precipitously could create a crisis even bigger than the current banking nightmare. Blumenthal has to be seen as partisan; but there are concerns there that I wish McCain’s advisors (Doug Holtz-Eakin and others) had thought through more carefully before putting incomplete ideas out there  Not that Obama’s ideas are complete strategies either. As I’ve shared previously, I think both party platforms are worrisome for doctors and ACC. That’s why we need to engage and get involved in the final products. But this makes thoughtful reading if you extract the partisan bias. I’d be interested in your thoughts.

< Back to Listings