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Medicare News
AMA Survey Says Physicians Won't Take Medicare
Patients if Pay Gets Cut
Campaign to stop physician payment cuts says senior
citizens lose
June 4, 2007 - Medicare patients’ ability to get in
and see the doctor will be severely hampered next year by a steep
Medicare cut to physicians, according to a
new survey released today by the American Medical Association
(AMA).
The survey, which jumpstarts a national campaign to stop next
year’s 10 percent cut, was completed by nearly 9,000 physicians, and
their responses paint a bleak picture for the future of Medicare.
“The AMA is deeply concerned by the alarming news
that 60 percent of America’s physicians will be forced to limit the
number of new Medicare patients they will be able to care for next year
when Medicare cuts physician payments,” said AMA Board Chair Cecil B.
Wilson, M.D.
Congress’ own advisory committee on Medicare,
MedPAC, has recommended that Congress stop next year’s 10 percent cut
and update payments 1.7 percent, in line with practice cost increases.
The AMA urges Congress to enact legislation now that will replace the
looming cuts with Medicare payment updates based on practice costs.
“Congressional action is the only remedy that will
help assure seniors’ access to doctors,” said Dr. Wilson. “We ask
America’s seniors, and their loved ones, to join us in calling for
legislation to help avert an access to care crisis for Medicare
patients.”
Next year’s 10 percent cut is just the tip of the
iceberg. Over nine years the cuts total about 40 percent, while the
government estimates that the cost of caring for patients will increase
20 percent. Over the life of the cuts, 77 percent of physicians say
they will be forced to limit the number of new Medicare patients they
treat.
“As physicians brace for nine years of steep
payment cuts, it will be extremely difficult for them to continue
accepting new Medicare patients into their practices,” cautioned Dr.
Wilson. “The baby boomers begin entering the program in 2010, and the
Medicare cuts increase the likelihood that there may not be enough
doctors to care for the huge influx of new Medicare patients.”
The AMA is helping Americans share their concerns
about the Medicare cuts with a Web site
www.patientsactionnetwork.org and phone number (888) 434-6200 that
puts patients in touch with their senators and congressional
representative.
This week, as Congress returns from its recess, the
AMA is publishing a full-page ad in Capitol Hill papers to remind
lawmakers of the urgent need for action. The AMA ad features a Medicare
patient with high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels
with the headline, “This patient thinks she’s healthy. A doctor would
tell her she’s not. Too bad she may not have a doctor.” Also this
week, the AMA’s “House Call” program hits the road, with physicians on
the AMA Board of Trustees visiting local communities to raise awareness
of the problem.
The impact of the cuts will reverberate beyond
seniors who rely on Medicare. America’s military families will also be
hurt, as the military health insurance program, TRICARE, faces the same
physician payment cuts as Medicare. In fact, all patients should be
concerned about the Medicare cuts, as more than two-thirds of physicians
tell the AMA they will defer purchases of information technology next
year. Over the life of the cuts, about eight in 10 physicians report
they will have to forgo this important purchase used to improve health
care quality. Also troubling, more than half of physicians say they
will reduce their practice staff, and 14 percent will completely get out
of patient care when Medicare cuts hit next year.
“Physicians are working hard to improve quality of
care for patients, but this short-sighted government payment policy
makes it difficult to purchase new technologies used to help improve
care,” said Dr. Wilson. “Congress needs to take a long, hard look at
how Medicare cuts affect seniors who rely on the program for health
care, and all patients who rightfully expect high quality care.”
“In six short months the Medicare cuts will begin,
unless Congress intervenes,” said Dr. Wilson. “We can’t sit idly by and
let America’s seniors pay the price for a short-sighted government
payment policy with reduced access to care – Congress must act.”
Editor’s Notes:
The AMA is hosting a telephone press briefing on
Monday, June 4 at 1 p.m. (EST) with AMA Board Chair Cecil Wilson, M.D.,
to discuss the survey findings and what Congress can do to preserve
seniors’ access to care. The dial-in number is (800) 238-9007 and the
confirmation code is 8469919.
About the Survey: In April/May 2007, the AMA
conducted an online survey of 8,955 physicians to determine their
reactions to Medicare physician payment cuts. A highlights document with
additional survey results is available by
clicking here .
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association helps doctors help
patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important
professional and public health issues. Working together, the AMA's
quarter of a million physician and medical student members are playing
an active role in shaping the future of medicine. For more information
on the AMA, please visit
www.ama-assn.org .
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