Dr. Randy Easterling and Dr. Daniel Edney, two Vicksburg physicians who heard President Barack Obama’s health-care reform proposals in person Monday in Chicago, were in agreement that Obama is correct to include the American Medical Association in the process and that details will make a big difference in whatever changes are made.

“The change is on its way,” said Easterling, newly installed as president of the Mississippi State Medical Association.

The president meeting in person with the nation’s largest physician group was “a show of good faith,” said Edney, a member of the MSMA Board of Delegates.

Both physicians oppose having the federal government as the single-payer of medical bills or any reform that would lead, incrementally, to that result. Obama emphasized that he, too, opposed the single-payer approach, but insisted something must be done quickly to provide coverage to the estimated 50 million people, mostly working-class Americans, who do not have insurance and cannot afford medical care.

Easterling, who has practiced at the Street Clinic in Vicksburg for 22 years, said he supports the idea of health care being affordable for everyone, but believes private sector medicine could be phased out under the Obama plan, whether that’s the president’s intention or not.

The essence of Obama’s plan is to require employers to provide coverage or pay fees that would be used to provide the uninsured coverage through private providers. Many believe employers would opt for the fees, sending more and more into the government-administered plan.

Edney, who practices with Medical Associates of Vicksburg, said he also supports change that improves access, but says medical resources may be stressed.

“I can’t stand the thought of Vicksburg patients not being seen,” he said, “but we need to get the uninsured out of the ER and into the doctor’s office to help drive costs down.” People without regular medical care often seek or wind up in emergency rooms with acute illnesses.

“This was a huge event, and the room was filled,” Edney said about physician interest in legislation that is expected to move quickly. “AMA has to be a partner in progressing these issues.”

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Contact Matthew Breazeale at mbreazeale@vicksburgpost.com