Health Care Policy Principles
The WSMA supports the following policy principles on health care:
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There should be universal access to affordable health insurance and a
government sponsored safety net.
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The health care system should allow and encourage the availability of
different levels of coverage beyond a basic level of protection for
those who want it. There must be choice of types of insurance, of
physicians and other caregivers – to reflect our pluralistic
culture.
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The health care system should be based on fairness and equity,
reflecting personal responsibility and accountability by all
stakeholders – patients, physicians and providers of services,
public and private payers and insurers. The federal tax code should
treat those covered by employer-based insurance or individual-based
insurance equally.
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The delivery and financing of the system must include administrative
simplification and standardization, with clear accountability and
responsibility by all participants.
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The financing of the system should include incentives to improve
quality, control cost, enhanced efficiency and eliminate the use of
ineffective health services and inappropriate variations in care. The
system must include improved patient safety and a reformed system for
compensating patients injured within the healthcare delivery system.
(BT Rpt H, A-07; Res C-8; A-08)
Return to the WSMA Policy Compendium index
Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services