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Corporations and the American Medical Association are lining up against healthcare reform because the current system ensures big profits for health insurance companies and big salaries for some doctors.

President Barack Obama, speaking at meeting of the American Medical Association, said:

Today, we are spending over $2 trillion a year on health care -- almost 50 percent more per person than the next most costly nation. And yet, as I think many of you are aware, for all of this spending, more of our citizens are uninsured, the quality of our care is often lower, and we aren't any healthier. In fact, citizens in some countries that spend substantially less than we do are actually living longer than we do.

Make no mistake: The cost of our health care is a threat to our economy. It's an escalating burden on our families and businesses. It's a ticking time bomb for the federal budget. And it is unsustainable for the United States of America.

The AMA has opposed Obama’s healthcare plan, which includes a public medical option. This would let people choose between their existing insurance plan and a government-run plan, which would offer the same coverage given to a U.S. Senator. The AMA believes this could reduce payouts to doctors. After Obama's speech, however, the AMA began backing away from their initial position

Health insurance companies oppose the plan as well, claiming they can’t compete with a government-run plan. American’s Health Insurance Plans, an organization representing health insurance companies, recently released a statement that included this criticism of the plan:

We also share the concerns that employers, providers, and patients have raised about the significant unintended consequences of a new government-run plan. A government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage, significantly increase costs for those who remain in private coverage, and add additional liabilities to the federal budget. Alternatively, strong market rules and consumer protections will ensure that nobody falls through the cracks without disrupting the coverage of tens of millions of Americans who like and want to keep their current health plans.

But Obama’s plan allows people to keep their existing insurance. The insurance companies can simply offer better coverage at cheaper prices if they want to stay in business. The current system does not foster competition or improve health outcomes.

The opposition to Obama’s sensible plan, which allows choice and fosters real competition, was expected and will dominate headlines in the days to come.

Here are two points to keep in mind as the debate unfolds:

(1) If the final healthcare reform bill does not include a public medical option, then it won’t be real reform. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. We will still have the same awful system that drives people into bankruptcies because of medical bills, produces some of the worse health case outcomes in the industrial world and leaves millions uninsured.

(2) Although some right-wing politicians might truly be concerned about how a government-run program could limit a person’s choice in doctors (again, Obama’s proposed government-run plan does guarantee choice), most will merely be protecting the money interests of rich health insurance company executives and rich doctors. It’s the same sad story of rhetorical subterfuge. The Republicans continue to put the interests of the wealthy above middle-class Americans no matter what populist spin they put on it.

At this point, it looks like the reform plan should make it through the U.S. House of Representatives with few problems. The U.S. Senate is a different story. Oklahoma U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn are sure to oppose any healthcare reform bill even though the state consistently ranks low in health studies. The senators will be protecting the interests of wealthy people.

Healthcare reform will only happen with strong public support. Show your support for Obama’s plan by clicking here.

(Here’s an in-depth article in The New Yorker that outlines the absurdities and inequities in our current healthcare system.)