Indianapolis Association of
Health Underwriters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/21/2009
CONTACT:
Ben Miller
Media Chair 317-407-8603
WASHINGTON, DC – Indiana doctors today joined with colleagues from across the country as part of the Coalition
to Protect Patients’ Rights (Coalition) “Second Opinion” to Members of Congress and the American people. The
more than 100 doctors in town represent more than 10,000 doctors nationwide who make up the Coalition to Protect
Patients’ Rights.
Earlier this month, President Obama said that “doctors know what needs to be fixed about our health care system.”
Unfortunately, however, he did not seek input from a broad cross-section of doctors, so now the Coalition is in town
to provide that much-needed “Second Opinion.” The doctors met with their elected representatives and provided
important context to legislators as they consider healthcare reform legislation. Today’s meetings continue a monthslong conversation Coalition doctors have had with their Members of Congress.
The Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights supports reform that will help improve the healthcare system, but is
concerned that legislators are simply in a rush to reform for reform’s sake. Members of the Coalition support the bipartisan effort in both Chambers of Congress to permanently fix Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) which
annually adjusts Medicare’s reimbursement rates. And they point to this type of incremental work as an example of
how policymakers can help make healthcare more accessible for patients.
Additionally, the Coalition supports simple fixes to improve access to care like shielding patients from being
dropped by their insurance carrier for pre-existing conditions, allowing individuals to keep their health coverage
even when they change jobs, and empowering patients to purchase insurance across state lines.
The doctors are in Washington as part of a two-day Fly-In. After meeting together last night to review and discuss
the progress of healthcare reform, the doctors participated in a press conference on Capitol Hill and then met with
more than 50 Members of Congress and their staffs from targeted states to discuss effective ways to improve the
nation’s healthcare delivery system.
In meeting with elected officials, the doctors are discussing a number of principles and ideas that they believe would
help strengthen the healthcare system, including:
1. The U.S. has the best healthcare in the world and any reform must enhance that care, not weaken it, and it
must keep the patient in control.
2. The government-controlled public option is bad policy and divisive to the overall debate. This should be
taken off the table.
3.
Already Medicare reimburses less than the cost of providing many services. There shouldn’t be any cuts
to Medicare.
4.
Affordable access to healthcare for the uninsured must be expanded. There are market-based approaches
that can accomplish this goal without a complete government overhaul.
5. The surest and quickest way to slow the healthcare cost curve is through comprehensive medical
malpractice reform.
Indiana representatives participating:
Dr. Francis W. Price (Indianapolis, IN) is an internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon, named as one of
the top physicians in the country for corneal disease and transplantation. Considered the most experienced eye
doctor in the region, Dr. Price also serves as Co-Chairman of the Indiana Steering Committee.
Dr. Danielle Doyle (Camby, IN) is an oncologist and hematologist. She is currently in private practice where
she specializes in the care of patients with cancer and benign blood disorders.
Dr. Lori Hurst (Greenfield, IN) is a family medicine physician. Her practice consists of patients of all
ages, with a heavy focus on women's health and geriatrics. She is also director of Springhurst Nursing facility.
Susan Rider (Fishers, IN) is an Employee Benefits Account Manager for Gregory & Appel. Prior to her
work as an employee benefits professional, she gained experience in the health care industry in various roles in
oncology, cardiology, Cath-lab, OR, and home care hospice. She is also president elect of the Indianapolis
Association of Health Underwriters.
The Indianapolis Association of Health Underwriters is a chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters
(NAHU), an association of more than 20,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide
insurance for millions of Americans. NAHU is headquartered in Arlington, VA. For more information, visit our
web site at www.indyahu.org
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