Local doctors sound off on health care reform

Local doctors debated the pros and cons of a public option for health care reform Thursday in front of a crowd of about 200 at Indiana University Northwest's Savannah Auditorium.

"The intent of this was to talk about one part of the health care reform bill, and it just spilled over to problems in the economy and wider issues because they're inextricably tied," said Samuel Flint, IUN professor and moderator of the event.

The local debate precedes the U.S. House of Representatives vote on its health care reform bill, which includes a public option. The vote is expected to take place at the end of the week or early next week.

"Congressman (Pete) Visclosky continues to evaluate the House health care reform bill and has not yet determined how he will vote," said Jacob Ritvo, spokesman for Visclosky, D-Ind.

The U.S. Senate continues to debate its version of health care reform and has not yet finalized a bill to bring to the floor. Local senators were not able to be reached for comment.

At IU Northwest, Dr. Bharat Pithadia, president of Pithadia Medical, advocated a public option, while Dr. Alex Stemer, president and CEO of Medical Specialists Centers of Indiana, spoke against government-run health insurance.

Pithadia, who previously worked in Canada, said everyone should be given a basic level of care, including illegal immigrants. If individuals wanted to pursue certain treatments, doctors or hospitals beyond that basic level of care, individuals could pay for it themselves.

"Most immigrants get paid less than minimum wage," Pithadia said. "The difference between the minimum wage and what they actually get paid is an informal form of taxation. They already paid into the system because they got exploited."

Stemer said illegal immigrants should be legalized and pay for the care they receive just like all American citizens. Emergency rooms are required by law to serve anyone who walks in, regardless of insurance or immigration status, Stemer said. Often illegal immigrants get free care.

"The not-covered are covered," Stemer said. "If one of those people gets in a car accident with broken bones, we patch them."

Under a government-run health insurance plan, Stemer said the healthy participants would end up paying for the cost of care for those who used the insurance often.

"Because there are no exclusions for prior conditions, the plans will pay for everything," Stemer said. "If you're not a smoker, you will pay for the smoker's lung cancer (treatment)."

Pithadia said the public option should have programs to help people stop smoking, drinking or eating in excess or continuing any other habit destructive to their health.

"We're in this together," Pithadia said. "We have to help each other and have programming with the plan. ... What are we going to say, 'Sorry, you're too fat because you eat too much, you're destined to die early?' I don't think so."

Some of the students in the audience, like Natanyah Horton, 19, had to attend the event for a class. She said before she walked into the auditorium, she supported the public option. After the debate, she was unsure.

"I don't know now," said Horton, of Gary. "They made some very good points. I need to do some of my own research."

Horton said she was concerned about the shortage of doctors and possibility there would not be enough to take care of an insured American population and aging baby boomer generation.

Charles Porgar, 66, said he was surprised to hear Stemer say pharmaceutical companies charge Americans more for prescriptions than they do people in India, Canada and other foreign countries, while there was no drug reform in the House of Representatives' bill.

"I'm able to afford my drug coverage at my stage in the game," said Porgar, of Highland. "But I know there are many people taking many more pills than I am who are having a hard time."

With a majority of the audience college students, Stemer said he knew his views would be unpopular because young voters primarily supported President Barack Obama, who has pushed hard for health care reform.

"The point is to create an intelligent discussion so people understand there are going to be consequences," he said.

"Because there are no exclusions for prior conditions, the plans will pay for everything. If you're not a smoker, you will pay for the smoker's lung cancer (treatment)." - Dr. Alex Stemer, CEO and president of Medical Specialists Centers of Indiana