As a doctor on the front lines, I know our health care system is broken.  The current system is failing my patients; treatable illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are often uncontrolled because of the lack of coordination in the health care system and high cost of care. Many of my patients come to me with cancers that have spread throughout the body but could have been detected earlier with a simple screening test. Some patients cannot find a primary care physician in their community and end up using the costly emergency room to get basic care. Other patients have delayed going to the doctor as long as possible because they don't have the money for it or have been denied health insurance because of a preexisting condition. 

Just last week, I admitted a diabetic patient to the intensive care unit. He had uncontrolled blood sugar to the point where there was excessive acid build up in his body (Diabetic Keto Acidosis). He had lost his health insurance along with his job and couldn't afford his diabetes medication. With a family to feed, he had to decide what was more important, providing food for his family or his own life. I see situations like this on a daily basis. Families are afraid to go to a primary care physician because they don't have insurance. Treatable and preventable illnesses escalate unnecessarily.

Despite spending more on health care than any other country, approximately $2.25 trillion dollars per year, 47 million Americans have no health insurance coverage. Health care costs are rapidly increasing, while wages have remained stagnant. Half of all bankruptcies are related to medical expenses and most people are only receiving half of the recommended care they should be getting. It is clear that the current system is failing millions of Americans each year. We can and must make a change. Maintaining the status quo for our health care system is simply unacceptable.

I became a doctor to make a difference in peoples lives, to provide comfort and relief to patients in need. As a physician, I have a duty and responsibility to speak up for what is best for my patients. That is why I am an unwavering advocate for health care reform this year.

Contrary to what the media repo
rts about the lack of physicians supporting reform, I know I am not alone. I am one of at least 450,000 physicians nationwide who are in support of health care reform that includes affordable, high quality health coverage for all Americans. Not only is reform necessary, it makes sense. I am advocating for a system that:

* Rewards physicians for the value of their services and for keeping patients healthy, rather than the number of patients seen and procedures accomplished.

* Preserves the doctor-patient relationship. The health care system should ensure treatment decisions are made by doctors and patients, without unnecessary intrusion by insurance companies.

* Prioritizes primary care, prevention and wellness. This will ultimately result in lower health costs for business and government. Chronic, preventable diseases represent 70% of our health care costs.  We need a system that helps prevent these diseases, by emphasizing cancer screening, smoking cessation, exercise, weight loss, and immunizations, rather than waiting until these conditions become difficult and costly to treat.

Please join me and many other concerned physicians and citizens by getting involved in the health care reform movement.  You can start by attending town hall meetings and getting others to join you. Most importantly, call or meet with your congressional leaders and let them know you want reform this year.  With your support, we have the opportunity to bring about meaningful change.

Sincerely,

A. Rab. Razzak, M.D.

Learn more at www.drsforamerica.org.