Mass. Physicians Back Single-Payer System

Nearly two-thirds of Massachusetts physicians support a national single-payer health care system, according to a survey published in the February 9 Archives of Internal Medicine.

Of 1,787 physicians, 904 (50.6 percent) responded to the survey. When asked which structure would provide the best care for the most people for a fixed amount of money, 63.5 percent of physicians chose a single-payer system; 10.7 percent, a managed care system; and 25.8 percent, a fee-for-service system.

The survey also found that 67 percent of respondents said they would accept a 10 percent reduction in fees in exchange for a “very substantial reduction” in paperwork.

The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, which cites the survey, is posted at www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/print_report.cfm?DR_ID=22160&dr_cat=3. ▪