DOCTORS RUN NAT'L ADS: A Heart-to-Heart Letter with Voters, says DPMA

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What began as a "what-if" conversation starting with "SOMEONE should tell the voters what we think" has, in 3 days, turned into a national doctors' campaign directly to voters about healthcare reform, taking on both the government and insurance companies.

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"A Letter from America's Doctors to Our Patients" runs Monday in editions of USA Today in states including OH, VA, PA, FL, CO, WI and UT.

"We want patients to know that we will be there for them and take their trust very seriously," says Marcy Zwelling, M.D. of Los Alamitos CA, a solo practitioner known for getting thank you letters and Facebook posts from her patients, and former president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association. "We want to improve the system, but we can't do that until the worst of the Affordable Care Act is repealed."

Dr. Zwelling decided that it could be done, and enlisted Kathryn Serkes, CEO of the Doctor Patient Medical Association to help round up the doctors and the funds to do it.  Within 3 days, using their contacts and posts on social media sites, the two gathered the support they needed. 

"Organized medicine like the AMA isn't speaking for its members – or the patients- anymore," says Serkes, who likens the letter to a "heart-to-heart" conversation with patients.

"Most of us aren't angry – we are frustrated," says Zwelling.  "We didn't want to preach to the voters, or threaten them.  Instead, we want them to know that we are afraid we won't be able to be there for them if we continue down this path. And that we'll work WITH them to make things better. Why can't we build on the best and get rid of the over-reaching mandates and regulations? This election is so important and our patients need to know that America's doctors know we can work together to do it better."

Doctors plan to hand out the letter beginning on Friday.

Excerpts from the letter:

"You have heard from the politicians. We'd like to share what America's working doctors think…as professionals we must share our concerns."

"We know that you need us to be there for you ...
... But that 83% of doctors think about quitting medicine because of more government and insurance company rules and regulations.

"We know that you deserve to choose your doctor, choose your insurance, and choose your care ...
... But that your choices are becoming MORE restricted because of government and insurance company rules & regulations.

"We know that you want and deserve 100% of our time & attention, and that we need to listen better ...
... But that government and insurance company rules & regulations create paperwork that takes at least 25% of our time away from taking care of you.

"We know every person is unique, and that you want and deserve the best individual care ...
... But that government and insurance rules & regulations require us to conform to 'standards of care' designed by bureaucrats who have never laid eyes or hands on you.

"And finally, we know that insurance is too expensive and that medical care is not accessible or affordable to many Americans ...
... But that the new healthcare law only makes all these things worse.

"Please vote for the candidates who will repeal the worst of the healthcare law and its thousands of regulations, mandates, protocols, and paperwork..."

Contact: Kathryn Serkes (206) 841-0100
[email protected]
facebook.com/DoctorsLetterToOurPatients 

SOURCE Doctor Patient Medical Association

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