Doctors, others urged to sign ‘Physicians’ Declaration of Independence’

Doctors are being urged to cut ties to third-party payment systems in a “Physicians’ Declaration of Independence.”

The goal is to improve doctor-patient relationships.

The declaration, written by Richard Amerling, M.D., is posted on the website of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

Some excerpts from the declaration:

When in the Course of Human Events, it becomes necessary for one Profession to dissolve the Financial Arrangements which have connected them with Medicare, Medicaid, assorted Health Maintenance Organizations, and diverse Third Party Payers and to assume among the other Professions of the Earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that the Physician’s primary responsibility is toward the Patient; that to assure the sanctity of this relationship, payment for service should be decided between Physician and Patient, and that, as in all transactions in a free society, this payment be mutually agreeable. Only such a Financial Arrangement will guarantee the highest level of Commitment and Service of the Physician to the Patient, restrain Outside Influence on Decision-Making, and assure that personal information be kept confidential. … We, therefore, the undersigned Physicians of the United States of America, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name of our Patients solemnly publish and declare, that we will withdraw our participation in all above-described Third Party Payment Systems. Henceforth and Forever, we shall agree to provide our services directly to our Patients, and be compensated directly by them, in accordance with the ancient customs of our Profession. The Patients’ medical interactions with us will remain confidential. We pledge the highest level of Service and Dedication to their Well-Being.

It also lists several facts as proving its case, such as

• Tax subsidies being given to employers who offered health insurance benefits starting at the time of World War II.
• The creation of Medicaid and Medicare, an example of government “going far beyond its Powers as set out in the Constitution.”
• Price controls created after costs shot up due to Medicaid and Medicare.
• Assorted other government meddling in the industry, such as HIPAA and HMOs.
• And, finally, the Accountable Care Act.

A form then allows doctors, other medical professionals, and concerned citizens to attach their names to the petition.