As most of us know by now, Obama’s health care reform plan involves a health insurance mandate where most Americans will be required by law to carry individual health insurance otherwise they will be subjected to a fine. This is a huge change from the way health care and health insurance has been handled in the past so it has a lot of people feeling uneasy. There’s a huge debate in Congress and across the nation about the need for this mandate and how it will affect individuals and families.
The article “Medical Leaders: Individual Health Insurance Mandate Benefits Patients, Doctors” on MySanAntonio.com discusses some of the positive impacts the mandate may have on both doctors and their patients. Dr. Edward D. Miller, the dean & CEO of John Hopkins Medicine, along with Scott A. Berkowitz, assistant professor of medicine and medical director for Accountable Care through John Hopkins put forth a commentary with some strong opinions on the mandate.
Both Miller and Berkowitz believe the mandate, which is part of the Affordable Care Act, could strengthen the relationship between doctors and their patients. They also predict that finding health insurance will become easier and health insurance rates will be stabilized. They believe the mandate will dramatically decrease the amount of “free riding” which is where people who can afford health insurance purposely choose not to purchase it but still take advantage of the health care system without paying for their services used.
Berkowitz points out that patients who carry health insurance are more likely to receive regular care and visit the doctor more which will ultimately help relationships and hopefully strengthen preventative care. This can be supported through research which also shows longer life expectancies for those with close relationships with their physicians. Both authors believe that through in increase in insured individuals we will see a reduced cost of health care services which will give some much needed financial security to the health care industry.
Written by Sam Tabes
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