Opinion
Number doesn't tell whole story of how psychiatrists view health plans
LETTER — Posted May 5, 2008
Regarding "More physicians backing national coverage -- study" (Article, April 21): Your article reports on a survey showing that 83% of psychiatrists support national health insurance coverage. It is important to put this in the context of other data.
According to the American Psychiatric Assn., 52% of psychiatrists are not affiliated with any managed care panel. Also, psychiatrists represent the greatest number of specialists who opt out of Medicare. Before readers rush to any conclusion about where psychiatrists stand on issues like "single payer," remember the words of Benjamin Disraeli: There are lies, damned lies and statistics.
Janis G. Chester, MD, president, American Assn. of Practicing Psychiatrists, Dover, Del.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/05/05/edlt0505.htm.