Survey: two-thirds of physicians have a negative impression of the AHCA

Posted on: 6/7/17


Two-thirds of physicians have a negative impression of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored bill to unwind Obamacare, while only about a quarter support it, a new survey indicates.

According to the survey of 1,112 physicians conducted by Merritt Hawkins, a company of AMN Healthcare, 66 percent of physicians have a negative impression of the AHCA, only 26 percent have a positive impression, and seven percent are neutral.  

“Physicians have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with government sponsored health care legislation in the past, and the AHCA does not reverse this trend,” said Mark Smith, president of Merritt Hawkins.  “So far, the bill rates a strongly negative diagnosis from physicians.”  

In a 2016 survey of 17,236 physicians that Merritt Hawkins conducted on behalf of The Physicians Foundation, 23 percent of physicians gave the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a positive grade of A or B, 28 percent gave it an average grade of C, while 48 percent gave it a negative grade of D or F.  The AHCA, now being considered by the Senate, gets an even higher negative rating, according to the new Merritt Hawkins survey. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed have a strongly negative impression of the bill, 8 percent have a somewhat negative impression, while relatively few (7 percent) are neutral.   

The survey was sent by email to approximately 80,000 physicians randomly selected from Merritt Hawkins’ database and has an error rate of +/- 2.87% as determined by experts in statistical response at the University of Tennessee.  
      
For additional information about Merritt Hawkins’ surveys, white papers, speaking presentations, or related matters, visit www.merritthawkins.com or call (800) 876-0500.     

Save the dates for OHA 2022 events

Posted on: 2/18/22


It’s a new year and a new lineup of important events for you and your staff. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to engage in advocacy, education and networking all year long. Mark your calendar now!

OHA Advocacy Day - Tuesday, April 5, Oklahoma History Center. Join us for our annual legislative day. We will begin with a member briefing at 3 p.m., followed by a legislative reception at 5 p.m. Watch for registration materials soon.

OHA-PAC Golf Tournament - Tuesday, June 21, Jimmie Austin Golf Club at OU, Norman. Time and details TBA.

OHA Health Care Leaders Forum - Tuesday, July 19 - Thursday, July 21, Shangri-La Resort, Grand Lake. Watch for registration soon!

OHA Connect 22 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Friday, Nov. 11, Oklahoma City Convention Center and Omni Hotel, downtown Oklahoma City. Plan now to attend OHA’s annual conference and exhibit hall. More details to come.

Details on these events and other upcoming education opportunities will be available on the OHA website.