Coalition of State and Specialty Medical Associations Opposes Public Option, Coverage Mandates

The coalition delivered this letter to the chairs of the relevant congressional committees today. Most significantly, the coalition writes:

1. Public Option. We oppose the creation of a government-run health plan that will compete unfairly with the private market. We are concerned that any government plan will always have advantages that are not available to the private sector. These unfair advantages will effectively crowd out the private market leaving only a government–run option available.

2. Individual and Employer Mandates. We oppose legislation that will require individuals or employers to purchase health care insurance. We support reforms that will encourage individuals to own their health plan and that will encourage employers to help finance premiums for their employees.

This is in contrast to the AMA, which, as Tevi noted below, recently endorsed the House Democrats’ package — public option, coverage mandates and all.