By Pippa Abston MD, PhD, FAAP
Just got back from a day at the annual MASA (Medical Association of the State of Alabama) meeting in Huntsville. I’ll have more overall impressions later, but I had to post this before going to sleep tonight, while it is still fresh in my memory (you’ll see why in a minute).
The last session before dinner was a panel of 3 physicians, including none other than our friend Congressman Parker Griffith. He was speaking about healthcare reform, with the usual rhetoric. When I saw he was on the panel, I realized I’d have a chance to ask him a question, so I had several minutes to decide how best to word it. You know, it is an art, because politicians are good at turning questions around to suit themselves.
So when the time came, I got up and was last in a line of only 4 physicians to come to the microphone with questions. The tone of voice you should imagine me using is very sweet and sincere. I introduced myself as a general pediatrician and the physician coordinator of North Alabama Healthcare for All, a Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program. Then I made a little joke about being MASA’s token liberal, which got a laugh. I said to Parker that I had enjoyed meeting him and talking to him several times. I reminded him of a meeting lasting over an hour that we had a little over a year ago at his Huntsville office with me, 5 other physicians and a couple of other single payer advocates. I recalled for him that he had said he thought universal single payer coverage was the best idea and that we would eventually get it, but it just wasn’t practical politically right now. We had asked him if he would be willing to sign HR 676, the Conyers single payer bill, and he said he wouldn’t– because he didn’t feel like he had enough influence yet in Congress where it would make any difference to the bill passing. After reminding him of this conversation, I said that I was not naive and realized politicians do often say things they don’t mean, because they want us to like them. But if he really had meant it, my question to him was “What would have to change to make it safe for you and other conservatives to publicly admit they support single payer?”
I noticed he was turning a little red as I was talking! His response was “selective memory is an interesting thing.” Then he proceeded to say that he had actually told us that if our country had “grown up” with single payer, we probably wouldn’t change it. He said he had told us he was for universal access but that he wouldn’t support Conyers’ bill because that would be socialized medicine.
So I did make one short response, reminding him that there were 5 other doctors in the room who had the same selective memory. Parker responded with a soliloquy about the problem in healthcare being insufficient numbers of providers, which is a true problem but not related. Then Rep. Price spoke up and rescued Parker, and I sat down.
After the session, I thought maybe I’d be getting some glares from my colleagues, but far from it! I can’t tell you how many people came up and congratulated me on my question, and said it was obvious to them all that I was telling the truth about what Parker had said. I even got hugs, and I was invited to speak at a fund-raiser for a Republican opponent of Parker (had to graciously decline). Apparently, the poor man has alienated so many docs in his conservative base that no one spoke up in his defense.
Anyway, I was grateful at the warm, friendly reception I was given as a public liberal by my MASA friends. They know we disagree on some issues, but we are able to enjoy each other’s company and conversation. And they know that, whatever our disagreements, the bottom line is that we all care about our patients. At the physician level, I really do believe there is hope for an honest dialogue and will continue to work towards that end.
Originally posted on Dr. Abston’s blog