Government
TMA holds public meetings on uninsured
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 21, 2009
Texas residents agree that the number of uninsured people in the state is a problem, but few support more government involvement in health insurance, according to a straw poll of about 1,400 participants in 15 town hall meetings convened by the Texas Medical Assn.
About 3,000 people attended the events around the state, said TMA spokesman Steve Levine.
The TMA's 15-question survey is not scientific. But the majority of survey respondents agreed with the statement: "The growing number of uninsured patients in Texas ... is a major problem and must be fixed." Also, at least 91% of respondents agreed that "any health reform should allow patients to choose their own doctor" or to stay with their current physician. Majorities from nearly every forum agreed that "Medicaid should be better funded so more poor Americans can receive health care."
With the exception of one meeting, only small percentages of attendees backed an expanded government role in providing Americans with health insurance. Also, most of those attending the meetings did not support requiring businesses to provide coverage to employees or forcing them to pay a pxenalty for not doing so.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/09/21/gvbf0921.htm.
