After the shock and awe of Massachusetts' passage of a universal health insurance bill in May--a mandate for all residents to purchase health insurance, just like they buy car insurance--the American Medical Association has turned a corner and, in effect, given the Massachusetts plan a vote of confidence.
On Tuesday, during its annual meeting, the AMA endorsed mandatory health insurance for individuals. In the past, the AMA has sided with voluntary efforts.
But under the proposal endorsed this week, anyone with an income over $50,000 would have to purchase health insurance or face tax penalties; those with earnings under that level would get tax-credits and subsidies. While the AMA no longer represents as many physicians as it did fifty years ago, it is still a politically potent organization. We know the states are beginning to act on the Massachusetts idea.
Is anyone in the U.S. Congress listening?
