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DJP Update 4-6-2010 A few more comments about “Health System Reform” that passed Congress; and Yes, AMA needs to be saved!

DJP Update 4-6-2010 A few more comments about “Health System Reform” that passed Congress; and Yes, AMA needs to be saved!

Foreword: For those who plan to write and say, “You lost. The bill passed. Get over it.” Let me tell you in advance that I did not lose. The American public lost. Doctors lost. The Fool’s Gold soon will be apparent. Facts don’t cease to exist because they are ignored. Actions have consequences. I persist in writing about this because I want to see the best medical care the world has ever seen remain on this planet. Sure there are problems with financing in our current system and it could have been fixed but the Congress is making it worse and it will affect more than just Medicine. It affects our viability as a leader of Nations. ALSO, I want to see the AMA survive! It is on a path of disaster at present.

Now for the news.

A few comments from Senator Reid on the healthcare legislation

Senator Reid in interview with Greta Van Sustern

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,590482,00.html

EXCERPT:

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Senator Reid:

Now that the legislation passed, it is amazing how much different people attitude is. I mean traveling on an airplane people are so nice to me. We have people — it wasn’t that way before.

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REID: But remember, the Nebraska deal was terrific for our country. Why do I say that? Because now everybody has a Nebraska deal. Every state in the union has the Nebraska deal.

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DJP Comment: That should make us all feel better. Wonder where the money comes from?

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And now U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa has a few questions

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35413.html

A top House Republican is investigating the legislative deals the White House and Democratic leadership cut with special interest groups while crafting the new health care reform law. And California Rep. Darrell Issa is not happy with the American Medical Association’s terse response to his questions.

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This is interesting too!

Texas physicians petition Congress to fix Medicare funding

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/05/2090970/texas-physicians-petition-congress.html

BY DIANNA HUNT

dhunt@star-telegram.com

EXCEPT FROM ARTICLE

April 5, 2010

This time, you could read their signatures.

In bold, clean strokes, North Texas physicians inked their names to a statewide petition drive Monday urging Congress to permanently fix the gap in Medicare funding that they say could cripple the system.

The petition by the Texas Medical Association, launched Monday in seven locations across Texas including Fort Worth, warns congressional leaders that some physicians could be forced to stop accepting Medicare patients if a permanent fix cannot be worked out.

The group is urging Texans from all walks — not just doctors — to sign the online petition at www.MeAndMyDoctor.com. Medical societies in 10 other states have agreed to join the Texas initiative, and another 30 state groups have expressed interest, officials said.

“My colleagues and I want to continue to take care of our Medicare patients,” said Dr. Susan Rudd Bailey, a Fort Worth allergist and president-elect of the state association. “This is a problem that Congress has known about for a long, long time.”

A 21.2 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians went into effect April 1 after the latest in more than a decade of stopgap measures from Congress expired. A new temporary measure is expected to be approved in the next week or two in Washington, but physicians say that is not enough.

“We need more than Band-Aids,” Dr. William H. Fleming III, a Houston neurologist and president of the state association, said at an event in Houston. “We need more than sutures. We need a complete transplant … Medicare patient access to care is in jeopardy across Texas and America, and we must send a clear message to our leaders how urgently we need them to step up and stop the Medicare meltdown now.”

Texas officials are hoping to deliver a petition with 1 million signatures to Congress and the White House…..

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DJP Comment: One has to wonder why the TMA has to be the leader in this. More power to TMA. Why can’t all of Medicine do it together. Is this a comment on AMA?

Meanwhile, at the AMA Website on the rotating screen of home page, AMA puts this headline under an AMA posted video:

AMA President James Rohack on why the health-care bill is good for doctors and patients.

This video is featured on AMA Website but when one clicks the link, it goes to:

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4119172/ama-pres-on-health-bills-impact-on-doctors/?playlist_id=87062

Unfortunately, the video is inoperative.

Too bad.

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Meanwhile, on AMA Website, the following is noted giving links to articles

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/road-doctor-rohack.shtml?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&UID=21ae8cdf-e382-40c9-87cf-32c8561d0531&plckPostId=Blog%3a21ae8cdf-e382-40c9-87cf-32c8561d0531Post%3a5e4907de-6017-4925-ad97-9896707b14d2&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

EXCERPT FROM ON THE ROAD WITH DR. ROHACK posted 4-5-2010

Patients in line to benefit from health reform law

When I do see patients, I usually get some questions about the historic health reform act signed into law two weeks ago by President Obama. In general, patients should benefit from the new law.

Two specific news accounts I’ve seen recently explain what the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act means for our patients. A week ago the Houston Chronicle showed what reform will mean for six different patients. And on Easter Sunday the Chicago Tribune profiled four people in various circumstances. Generally, the reports show the new law is a boon for patients.

Meanwhile, the AMA’s Web site explains how reform impacts physician practices, as well as what it means for patients (PDF). Plus, you can read the Q&A from last week’s Department of Health and Human Services webinar. Finally, be sure to subscribe to the AMA’s HSR Insight to learn more about the reform act.

As I’ve noted before, the new law is not perfect. And the AMA will continue to work to improve it.

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DJP COMMENT: I think it is obvious why AMA membership is in a steep decline.

Also, check out this earlier letter.

Unfortunately, this 2009 letter looks like a relic on AMA Website:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/advocacy/current-topics-advocacy/practice-management/balance-billing.shtml

Balance Billing

Under Medicare, certain physicians may opt to bill patients a portion of what Medicare does not cover for medical services. This is called “balance billing” but Medicare strictly limits how much physicians may balance bill their patients. Many private payers also restrict or prohibit physicians from balance billing their patients.

Representative Tom Price (R-GA-6) has sponsored a bill, H.R. 1384, supporting the AMA’s stance on balance billing.

Letter to Rep Price supporting his introduction of HR 1384 balance billing legislation March 18, 2009

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/399/balance-billing-price-letter.pdf

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DJP Comment: Where was AMA’s tough stand on this issue in the recent health system reform debate? Did you see any ads in the newspapers or on TV despite the millions spent on advertising by AMA during the health system debate in Congress? The question now: Will AMA accept another price-fixing formula to replace the SGR or will AMA fight for AMA policy, the right to balance-bill; the right to privately contract without penalty? Remember, that is among the AMA’s highest advocacy priorities and can keep doctors in practice regardless of what Congress decides to pay. To move from one set of chains to another is not acceptable. We need to save AMA before the membership completely evaporates. There are those who are willing to step into the void of leadership regarding putting the patient in control with the doctor as trusted advisor. Now is the time to save AMA. Now is the time to speak up. Many thousands of physicians say it is too late to save AMA. But I am an optimist. Now is the time to get ready for the AMA Annual Meeting in June. Enough of the platitudes. Meanwhile, the game-playing and funny math in Congress have not stopped the 21% cut in Medicare payments to doctors! Keep the word “Liberty” in mind with all negotiations and advocacy!

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Stay well,

Donald

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