DJP Update 3-19-2010: More breaking news & it is encouraging! Today 240,000 doctors in surgical coalition come out against health bill.
Hmm… More members than AMA? AMA represents all doctors via the various organizations yet large numbers of organizations that sit in the House of Delegates are coming out against the bill. They also know AMA policy and helped develop it. When Congress or the AMA Board doesn’t listen, then one must participate in elections and change the folks in those positions. That is the American way unless you have moved on and consider that a waste of time as far as AMA is concerned.
Here is the letter I just received. It also is posted at American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Website: http://www.asahq.org/Washington/SS_HR3590FINAL.pdf
March 19, 2010
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives
H-232 The Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Madam Speaker:
On behalf of the more than 240,000 surgeons and anesthesiologists we represent and the millions of surgical patients we treat each year, the undersigned organizations are committed to meaningful health reform that will make affordable, quality health care more accessible to all Americans. Our organizations have consistently stated that the health care reform package must be built on a solid foundation and in the best interest of our patients. Unfortunately, the Senate-passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (PPACA, H.R. 3590) fails to build such a foundation, and it falls short when considering the needs of our patients. As a result, we are opposed to H.R. 3590.
Over the past year and a half, we have regularly communicated with Congress regarding our concerns such as the creation of the unelected, unaccountable Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), the failure to repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) and implement a new Medicare payment system, and other provisions in H.R. 3590. Following the release of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 last November, our organizations were left with no choice but to oppose H.R. 3590, and we clearly conveyed our disappointment to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in December. Our opposition was also shared with House leadership and the House Committees of jurisdiction. Likewise, our organizations sent a February 19 letter to the President expressing our continued concerns with H.R. 3590. Finally, this letter to the President was also followed by a March 12 letter to you outlining our concerns and the reasons for our opposition to H.R. 3590. In spite of our considerable effort to share our concerns, our fundamental concerns remain unaddressed.
The surgical coalition remains committed to the passage of meaningful and comprehensive health reform that preserves and improve Americans’ ability to access high quality surgical care and health care services. It is this commitment that requires the surgical coalition to oppose a bill that would undermine quality and threaten patient access to surgical care.
Sincerely,
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Osteopathic Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
American Pediatric Surgical Association
American Urological Association
American Society of Breast Surgeons
American Society of Anesthesiologists
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
Society for Vascular Surgery
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
Society of Surgical Oncology
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A Politico article just sent to me.
http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/EXCLUSIVE__Democrats_plan_doc_fix_after_reform.html
EXCLUSIVE — Democrats plan doc fix after reform
But see followup posting at Politico: http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/EXCLUSIVE__Democrats_plan_doc_fix_after_reform.html
UPDATE: Democrats challenge authenticity of ‘doc fix’ memo———–
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And this one from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031803558.html?wpisrc=nl_pmopinions
On health reform’s price tag, score one for skepticism
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And one last Weblink to an article at Galen Institute: http://www.galen.org/component,8/action,show_content/id,14/category_id,0/blog_id,1381/type,33/
Blindsided?
By Grace-Marie Turner
A discussion of procedure in Congress.
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DJP Comment: The games adults play! What is true? What is rumor? Meanwhile doctors have to care for patients. Most will believe “Doc Fix” removed by Congress to prevent unfavorable “score” by CBO. But this doesn’t fool the Public. If the 21% fee cut happens, access to care will be at risk. Congress can’t allow that as the Seniors will revolt and then there will be a real problem! Too bad no one allows patients and doctors to privately contract without penalty like Australia does. The government pays what it can afford and the patients and doctors decide if a greater fee is needed. If the patient doesn’t agree with the doctor’s fee, the patient shops and the Free Enterprise system kicks in. The patient finds a doctor who is qualified and who agrees to what the patient believes is reasonable. That is the difference between government control and Liberty. Take the chains off of patients and doctors. Remember, a change to another price-fixing formula and stating the “SGR” is dead is not really a win. Others still in control of your destiny.
Stay well.
Donald
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