There is one hope left and that is the Grassley Bill, but is 3 weeks enough time? Hopefully there’s enough leadership to make this happen. Many seniors are going to find it very difficult to find a physician that will still take on new patients with 
Medicare if the pay cuts go through. Senate Republicans are not too motivated as they presume the bill will not get signed by the President. Many physicians are continuing to see established patients, but have said they will not open the door for new patients covered by Medicare. Some physicians have already dropped from the Medicare listings a few months ago. This potentially puts both patients and physicians at a huge disadvantage if the pay cuts go through. The quotes below are from a concerned physician making his point for all to speak to their congressional representatives. BD
“Today, the Senate held a preliminary vote on the Baucus bill, the one that would have turned the 11% Medicare physician pay cut into a 1% raise. The outcome of the vote essentially killed the bill, so now it's back to the drawing board.
Now, I live in a Democratic state, so there isn't much I can do. My senators voted for the bill. We need our physician brothers and sisters living in Republican states to make their voices heard to their senators, that this partisan vote was unacceptable. Medicare beneficiaries deserve choice and access to top care. The doctors out there on the front lines delivering care deserve to not have to worry about how to meet payroll or order chemotherapy. Message: fix this problem now.”
You are very kind to link my site, and very fast. I am thrilled that you are reading.
ReplyDeleteI think this type of partisan gamesmanship affects the lives of thousands of doctors, their families, and office workers. We need to get the word out to MDs all over the country to call, email, and visit their congressmen to show how the impending cut affects their practice in profound ways.
As we see with the Baucus Bill, this problem won't go away on its own.
Thanks again for the link.
Thank you for the comments. There's another added article today as well. This is really a big deal and is contributing to the shortage of physicians coming down the road as well. Hopefully, it will get some action going as well.
ReplyDelete