Houston Chronicle: Another kind of remedy for the sick; Code of conduct would protect patients
Viewpoints, Outlook
By JACQUELINE CRESPO PERRY
Now, more than ever, health care issues, needs, disparities and financial constraints are foremost on people's minds, especially for the people of Houston and Harris County. In keeping with the mission of educating, informing and disseminating health care-related information to our Hispanic communities, the Houston Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is calling for changes in the current health care system, including the support of a code of conduct to ensure that the patient's best interests are always paramount.
NAHN Houston was created in 1989 to provide an important voice for Hispanic nurses and the Hispanic community. Our members are active in local health care issues and are committed to increasing educational and professional opportunities for Hispanic nurses and students through networking and mentoring. NAHN Houston members are also instrumental in providing culturally competent health care for Hispanic consumers, and in doing so, we are an active and vital part of the Harris County health care continuum.
Key NAHN Houston member values include servicing, educating and empowering: (1) Hispanic nurses, (2) Hispanic youth and (3) Hispanic communities. During NAHN's 34th Annual Conference in San Antonio on July 21-24 we will be discussing disparities, health care reform and a variety of issues of concern.
One such issue relates to a dire need for increased regulation and oversight of managed care industries. In fact, NAHN Houston is one of several NAHN chapters across the country signing on in support of a national petition, which is being advanced by the Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA) (www.insurepatientaccess.org), a national network of more than 250 physicians with the shared mission of ensuring and protecting patient access to approved medical treatments and therapies.
AfPA is asking organizations and individuals from all walks of life and missions to come together in support of the adoption of a national code of conduct for health insurers. The code of conduct is being set forth by the American Medical Association and is designed to offer clear and concise principles addressing both medical policies and payment issues, as well as to create a mechanism to monitor compliance by managed care companies. The bottom-line objective is to insure that the practices of the managed care industry do not undermine the integrity of doctor-patient relationships. This is a concept that all of us should support.
The basis for the code of conduct is simple:
• • There should be no interference in the care physicians provide to their patients.
• • Medical decisions should be made by medical professionals and not corporations.
• • The safety and care of a patient should be the primary concern for a doctor and not the profit motive.
There are many reasons why the code is needed.
Doctors are being forced to make medical decisions and write prescriptions based on directions from insurance companies rather than the needs and welfare of their patients.
Doctors are being ranked by insurance companies based on cost and not quality of care.
Many patients who have high medical bills are finding their insurance policies canceled through a practice called “rescission.” The insurance companies search their medical records for an error or omission and use it as a reason to drop their coverage.
We have extreme examples in the state of Texas where health care needs are not being met in favor of profitability. Doctors are being penalized for requesting costly tests or prescribing higher-priced medications, and patients in drastic need of medical attention are being dropped from their insurance policies.
These realities must be addressed sooner rather than later. NAHN Houston joins NAHN chapters in Colorado, New York and other parts of the country in supporting the code of conduct. The petition has been signed by a wide range of doctor and patient advocacy groups including the American Lung Association, Healthy African American Families, Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Epilepsy Coalition of New York State, National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health, Out With Cancer, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Texas, Texas Silver Haired Legislature, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and the Fibromyalgia Association.
We are asking you to join with us in making your voice heard in support of a national code of conduct for the managed care industry. Signing on can take only a few minutes of your time, but it can and will make a true and lasting difference in your life and the lives of those whom you love. To sign on in support of the petition, go to www.insurepatientaccess.org.
Perry is president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses Houston Chapter and chairperson of the NAHN Student Association.
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