Las Vegas NowMedical Professionals React to Health Care Reform

Medical Professionals React to Health Care Reform

When it comes to health care reform, doctors say they have just as much at stake as their patients. Health care legislation now headed to the U.S. Senate floor includes an option for government-run insurance.

Nevada Senator Harry Reid says it will be up to the states to decide whether to opt out of the program.

The issue has everyone talking. Doctors interviewed by Channel 8 News Now agree something needs to be done to reform health care in the United States, but many wonder if the public option is the way to go.

As it stands, doctors say problems with government run Medicaid and Medicare programs are overwhelming, including not being adequately funded. They wonder if it will be the same problem with the public option plan.

"Obviously anyone who has had to deal with the Medicare system has some concerns about our entire system being run by the government," said oncologist Dr. Heather Allen.

Dr. Allen worries about government financing. She wants to know who will ultimately foot the bill and how physicians will be reimbursed for providing care. Doctors critical of the plan question the cost and if it will result in a rationing of care.

Nevada Health Centers CEO Thomas Chase believes a government-funded insurance plan may be the answer for the millions of uninsured Americans. "Unless there is public option to stimulate the process, I think at the end of the day it's going to be whole lot of the same," he said.

Dr. Allen says it's important to be open-minded, as some of the details of the plan have yet to be worked out. "The devil is in the details, so to speak," she said.