December 2008

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(Sample of the letter sent to Senators Mary Landrieu and David Vitter, and Representatives Steve Scalise, Anh “Joseph” Cao, and Charlie Melancon) September 10, 2009 The Honorable Charlie Melancon U.S. House of Representatives 404 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Representative Melancon: The physicians of Jefferson Parish Medical Society are following the debate in Congress over health reform. Everyday we see patients in our practices with concerns not only about their health but also about keeping their health insurance coverage and benefits. As physicians, we are aligned with our patients and agree that reform of our nation’s health care system is needed. In the end, health system reform must provide all citizens access to affordable and portable, high quality health care coverage where they can see the physician of their choice. Over the last few weeks, our physician members have attended health reform town hall meetings and sifted through grids and charts comparing reform proposals. In the interest of quality patient care, we feel it is essential that the final health system reform legislation include the following principles: 1) The physician should determine the care provided our patients not the government or a third party payer making decisions based on cost containment or profitability. 2) America must maintain a health care delivery system where patients have a choice of health plans and physicians rather than limiting those choices with a single payer, public plan. 3) The fundamental American right of the patient to privately contract with their physicians as to the fees and conditions for providing medical care must not be sacrificed. 4) The medical doctor must remain the primary healthcare provider rather than a limited licensed practitioner who is valuable as part of the treatment team but not a substitute for the physician. 5) Health system reform cannot ignore the high cost of defensive medicine and the real savings that can be realized by including an efficient manner for compensating patients who are truly harmed. At the very least, the tort reforms that exist in many states, like Louisiana, should be preserved in any federal health system reform. If Congress can incorporate these important principles in a financially responsible way, all Americans including individuals and small business can have access to an affordable basic health plan. The physicians of Jefferson Parish Medical Society will continue to follow the debate this fall and communicate our concerns to you and the members Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation. Our leadership is available to meet with you or your staff to help formulate meaningful health system reform that will benefit our patients and patients nationwide. Sincerely, Mohammed Suleman, M.D. JPMS President MS/cb .

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