Physicians for a National Health Program
The Physicians for a National Health Program, or PNHP, is a single-issue advocacy organization with over 20,000 members.
These include physicians, medical students and other health professionals.
The organization advocates a comprehensive, universal single-payer national health insurance program.
The PNHP was formed in 1987 and has been prominent for various reforms in the US healthcare system.
Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)
This is the sole organization in the US that is dedicated exclusively to implementing a single-payer nationwide healthcare insurance program.
PNHP and its members are tasked with educating physicians, healthcare workers and patients about the benefits of a single-payer insurance system.
This would include lesser administrative expenses and make health insurance significantly affordable for millions of Americans who can’t afford it currently.
Physicians for a National Health Program
In addition, the organization conducts research on the health crisis and advocates for fundamental reforms in the present US healthcare system.
To do this, the PNHP coordinates forums with speakers, participates in town hall meetings, and debates and contributes scholarly articles.
The organization is also regularly seen on TV and news programs promoting its single-payer insurance system.
The organization is well-known for offering influential proposals for a nationwide universal health insurance system.
The PNHP has published articles in elite medical publications, including the American Journal of Public Health and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Apart from this, PNHP is also known for the significant contribution of its members toward scientific research.
The organization has conducted in-depth studies on the uninsured health system economics and the international healthcare infrastructure.
Accomplishments of Physicians for a National Health Program
Now that you know the basics of PNHP, let’s take a closer look at some of their major accomplishments and remarkable contributions to society:
1 – Single-Payer Insurance
Single-payer insurance is also called “Medicare for all”. This is a system that proposes a single quasi-public or public agency to organize healthcare financing.
However, the delivery of the insurance services will be in the hands of private insurance providers under this system.
In this, every US resident would be covered with insurance for all medically necessary services.
This insurance would cover the cost of doctor’s visits, hospital expenses, long-term care services and much more.
It would include covering the expense of treating mental health problems and reproductive healthcare.
It would also cover the cost of vision and dental care, along with medical supply costs and the cost of prescription drugs.
This program will be funded by combining the existing public funding with modest taxes depending on the policyholder’s ability to pay expenses.
This program proposes saving over US$ 500 billion in administrative expenses by replacing the current profit-centric insurance infrastructure.
2 – Kitchen Table Campaign
The Kitchen Table Campaign by the PNHP is focused on addressing specific issues which usually crop up at kitchen tables across the United States.
This campaign aims to demonstrate how single-payer health insurance systems can address the most pressing healthcare problems in America.
Two of the major topics covered under the PNHP’s Kitchen Table Campaign include:
- Maternity mortality crisis
- Mental healthcare
- Dangers of COVID-19 to frontline healthcare workers
- Exacerbation of racial inequalities during COVID-19
- Public health emergencies
- Rural healthcare
- Racial health inequalities
- Surprise billing
3 – Stop Medicare Direct Contracting
The PNHP is also vocal against implementing the proposed Medicare Direct Contracting program. This program is believed to be focused on benefiting Direct Contracting Entities (DCEs).
The DCEs would be tasked to handle insurance for over 30 million conventional Medical beneficiaries.
These entities receive a huge income from private equity holders. Hence the PNHP believes that the DCEs would have a reason to deny medically necessary care to patients without solid reasons.
The PNHP believes that the DCEs need to be stopped. Else, the DCE’s could cause the collapse of the existing Medicare public insurance program in the US.
Conclusion
The Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) is a prominent advocacy group. It has been working for over 30 years to ensure a balanced, beneficial nationwide health insurance program.
The organization has been involved in bringing about significant reforms in the current public insurance system in America.
See Also
Integrative Medicine Training for Physicians
Anti Aging Training for Physicians
Best States for Family Physicians
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