The American Hospital Association’s (AHA) President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock “endorsed” Obama’s pick of Dr. Berwick for the new head of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). I found this very disturbing in light of all of the background information that has come out on Dr. Berwick. I was also surprised to see that Berwick was an independent member of the AHA Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1999.
I don’t think that most hospitals desire a socialized healthcare system like Great Britain or Canada. Anyone who pays attention to current events (other than through the three “mainstream” networks, MSNBC, CNN or most newspapers) knew that Obama is a big fan of socialized healthcare. Although when confronted about that he denied it he told the SEIU union in a speech that government controlled healthcare system is his goal but “we can’t get there overnight”.
I am never surprised when the AMA endorses candidates like Obama. The AMA represents less than thirty percent of physicians and most physicians that I know are not in favor of socialized medicine. But AHA’s endorsement seems like pure political pandering to me. The AHA supported Obama’s healthcare reform as well.
The AHA should take principled stands on healthcare issues and quit worrying about their image. Socialized medicine would be the end to quality healthcare and there will be no going back.
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