McCain's Healthcare Plan Favored Among Physicians

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Alpharetta, GA (PRWEB) April 2, 2008 -- To gauge current opinions among physicians regarding healthcare reform--such as Universal Health Care--Jackson & Coker recently commissioned its "2008 Healthcare Professionals' Opinions on Presidential Health Plans." The Jackson & Coker Physician Survey (http://www.jacksoncoker.com/newsletter/survey-presidential.aspx) was sent to thousands of physicians and healthcare professionals during March, with over 1,000 participants responding.

A key question of the survey asked: "Which current presidential candidate do you feel would most improve the US healthcare system?" The polling results were close:

Senator John McCain - 30%

Senator Hillary Clinton - 28%

Senator Barack Obama - 24%

Interestingly, just over one fifth (21%) of respondents did not favor proposals of any of the three major candidates. In fact, from among former contenders, Ron Paul's healthcare proposal drew the most comments

Over half of respondents felt that the healthcare reform plan of their selected candidate was critically important in deciding who gets their vote. This opinion appears to reflect the perceived urgency in addressing apparent weaknesses in the current healthcare model in America and in moving toward a better system, whether it is referred to as "Universal Health Care" or something else.

"There is a near-consensus that the current system simply doesn't work very well, according to the survey. What to do about it is another matter entirely," mentions Dr. Larry J. Sabato, political science professor at the University of Virginia and author of A More Perfect Constitution.

"The three major candidates all have their supporters in approximately equal groupings. Change that is 'substantial but incremental' attracts the backing of close to half (46%), though universal health care is backed by 38%--a fact that may surprise some observers," he adds.

Regardless of whose proposals the respondents favored, there were shared concerns expressed in the polling and in personal comments related to what changes need to occur in order to "fix" our current healthcare system. A secondary concern related to the impact that any major healthcare reform might have on the practice of medicine and the practitioners' career goals.

Survey results show that most physicians believe that some form of healthcare reform is needed in the United States. No matter what it is called, a revamped system should achieve certain goals:

? Expand healthcare delivery to include those currently uninsured

? Substantially reduce costs associated with medical care

? Streamline all facets of healthcare delivery

? Make prescription drugs much more affordable

Participants were asked to select which model of healthcare delivery would be most beneficial. Two percent felt the current healthcare model is adequate. Forty-six percent selected the current system, but "with significant improvements." On the other hand, 38% favored "a universal healthcare delivery system."

If Universal Health Care were adopted, a central question must be addressed: Who should be covered? The presidential contenders have staked out their positions fairly clearly on this issue. Here is how respondents answered this hot-button question: "Should universal health care be available to non-citizens in the US?

? Definitely--with no restrictions - 6%

? Yes--with some restrictions - 34%

? Not at all - 37%

? This calls for further debate - 23%

A related question focused on whether participation should be voluntary or mandatory. The presidential candidates are divided on this issue, as were the survey participants. Thirty-seven percent of respondents indicated "Totally voluntary," whereas 26% selected "Absolutely mandatory." Interestingly, nearly one third felt perhaps there is some middle-ground approach that is worth considering.

The survey addressed another important concern on the minds of consumers and voters: Payment for health care. According to 63% of respondents, tax credits of some amount should be offered to purchasers of health care. A third of all respondents believe that tax credits of $2500 per individual or $5000 per family seem reasonable. Eighteen percent of survey participants favor tax credits exceeding these amounts.

A portion of the survey queried physicians on how they perceived Universal Health Care affecting them personally. Most respondents (62%) have practiced medicine at least fifteen years. These seasoned professionals--along with younger respondents--clearly indicated how important certain factors might have a bearing on their career plans:

? Personal income potential - 51%

? Amount of government regulation - 66%

? Quality of resultant patient care - 61%

? Costs associated with overhauling / streamlining personal medical practice -42%

Apparently the majority of physicians have seriously considered how they as practitioners might be affected by Universal Health Care implementation. As strongly voiced in their comments, many doctors link future career decisions with the manner in which any proposed healthcare plan would affect their patient load, ability to be adequately reimbursed, and freedom to practice medicine as they have been accustomed. In fact, a significant number of respondents indicated early retirement as a serious career option.

"No matter where physicians are in their career development, they have serious concerns about the future of health care and how they and their families will be impacted by any proposed changes," explains Philip Middleton, Vice President with Jackson & Coker's permanent placement division. 'Moving from the known to the unknown raises many uncertainties for doctors personally and professionally," he adds.

The answers to another central question indicate the uncertainly expressed by health practitioners who weighed in on the discussion. Respondents were asked point-blank: "Do you feel that patient care would be better or worse in a UHC system?" Fourteen percent were not sure and 7% felt there would be little appreciable difference. However, 32% believed patient care will probably be better, but 47% felt that it would possibly be worse.

Another surprising survey result concerned answers to the final question: "Despite the political posturing, how likely do you think that some form of universal health care will be implemented during the next president's term?

Only 10% forecast implementation as "very likely," 12% are uncertain, and 24% believe actual implementation is "somewhat likely." On the other hand, 54% responded "Realistically, unlikely."

In the final analysis of Dr. Sabato: "Even the people who know the system best are not really sure what needs to be done, which candidate can do it best, and whether they can live happily with change. If health care reform was easy, it would have been done a long time ago--and the varying sentiments of these professionals prove it."

Regardless of whose proposals are favored by doctors across the land, this survey puts into perspective key questions of actual healthcare providers. whose voice is not always heard clearly in the heated debate on Universal Health Care.

About Jackson & Coker:

Begun 30 years ago, Jackson & Coker is a prominent physician recruitment firm headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. The firm places physicians in over 40 medical specialties as well as advanced practitioners (such as CRNA's) in temporary (locum tenens) assignments and permanent placement opportunities.

Jackson & Coker is a member of a "family of companies" known as Jackson Healthcare (JH). The corporation provides information technology and human resources solutions to hospitals and healthcare organizations around the nation. Jackson Healthcare has the distinction of being voted among "Atlanta's Top 10 Fastest Growing Companies" and designated by Inc. Magazine as among "The Fastest growing U.S. private companies."

More information concerning Jackson & Coker--along with the monthly Jackson & Coker Industry Report (http://www.jacksoncoker.com/newsletter/Long_3312008.aspx) -- can be found through the company's primary website - Jackson & Coker (http://www.jacksoncoker.com).

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