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News
Release by American Physicians and Surgeons
Doctors Claim Patients Want
Privatization in Medicare Bill
Oct. 22,
2003 - The final Medicare reform bill must include market-based
measures moving to privatization if Congress wants to solidify support
from patients as well as physicians, and physician payment rates are
not a deal-breaker. That's the message of a letter sent by the
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) to conferees
working to hammer out a compromise version of the House and Senate
Medicare bills.
The letter
points out that even though some in the medical community have made
physician payment rates their "line in the sand," AAPS doesn't believe
the rates should be the issue that hangs up this bill. Writes
Executive Director, Jane M. Orient, M.D.:
"We know
that you have heard from other physician organizations regarding
physician payment rates. But we believe other issues are much more
important as they have long-term implications for the program and
patient choice."
Instead,
AAPS points to provisions that would enhance patient choice -- premium
price support reform to allow an FEHBP-model that would provide
incentives to begin to re-introduce free-market competition that would
reduce costs and allow patients more control; and expansion of all
health savings accounts.
The letter
continues:
"Since
1943, AAPS has been dedicated to protecting the sanctity of the
patient-physician relationship from third-party interference. Our
patients tell us they want more control of and flexibility in their
medical choices...
"Inclusion
of these two provisions will not only give present beneficiaries more
choice, but also give future beneficiaries the vehicles to begin
saving for medical costs. Further, they will help slow the timeline
for Medicare's pending insolvency.
"An AAPS
survey of 344 physicians to be released this month shows that
one-third of physicians do not accept new Medicare patients, 40
percent restrict services, and 41 percent are having difficulty
finding referrals for patients. These numbers clearly demonstrate the
urgent need for physician- and patient-friendly reforms that allow
more autonomy.
"These
market-based measures must be included in the conference report if the
program is to continue to serve today's seniors and future retirees.
Our patients tell us they will settle for nothing less."
NOTE: AAPS
says it is a non-partisan, professional association, dedicated since
1943 to protection of the patient-physician relationship from
third-party interference. AAPS has members in all specialties,
representing hundreds of thousands of patients. Web site:
http://www.aapsonline.org |
