Access to health care for every American is a long overdue reality: NMA

"The National Medical Association (NMA) is anxious to see health reform put to a vote on Saturday. We believe this is long overdue for America," said Dr. Willarda Edwards, President of the National Medical Association (NMA).

The NMA, the nation's largest membership organization for African American physicians, officially supports both H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act which would overhaul the nation's health care system and H.R. 3961, The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009, which would re-invent the mechanism by which doctors are reimbursed when they take care of Medicare patients. Absent Congressional action, the nation's doctors will face a 21% pay cut under Medicare, beginning January 2010.

"Bold legislation that gives every American access to health care is a long overdue reality," continued Dr. Edwards, "irrespective of age group, health status, income level, or geographic location."

"We look forward to the vote on the Senate floor in the coming days. On behalf of the thousands of Americans who lose their health care coverage every day, we must not postpone reform until next year," concluded Dr. Leonard Weather Jr., President-elect of the NMA.