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Farr introduces bill to fix Medicare underpayment to doctors
San Jose Mercury News - 06/11/09 - California doctors who are routinely underpaid for their treatment of Medicare patients, and in some cases forced to stop honoring Medicare altogether, may see relief with new federal legislation. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, is expected to introduce a bill today that would increase Medicare funding for the Golden State and resolve long-standing inequities in how the money is allocated. A similar bill, put forth by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is anticipated in the Senate. "Many doctors are getting under-reimbursed for their services," Farr said Wednesday. "This bill should make them whole. ... I'm sorry it's taken so long." Similar proposals to amend reimbursement rates have been unsuccessful in years past. But supporters of the new legislation, including the influential California Medical Association and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, say the politics in Washington are now ripe for change.
Governor's proposed health-care cuts illogical
San Francisco Chronicle - 06/11/09 - It's a staggering number. More than 2 million Californians could lose insurance coverage under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed health care cuts, according to my organization's calculations. These cuts are put forth as part of a package to address the state's $24 billion budget deficit. If enacted, this proposal would be the most profound rollback of health coverage in state history - and would have dramatic impacts on the health care system on which we all rely.
On the road again, for healthcare Boston Globe - 06-11-2009 - President Obama is taking to the road again today, hosting another town hall meeting, this one on healthcare. He has held a half dozen or so already, focused on the economic stimulus package, credit card reform, and other topics. They include the first virtual one from the White House and one with French and German citizens. This afternoon's town hall in Green Bay, Wisc., continues his emphasis on reaching a goal that has eluded his predecessors for decades -- an overhaul of the healthcare system to cut costs and expand access. Why Green Bay? Because by several measures, it is a model for controlling medical spending while improving the health of patients.
Doctors’ Group Opposes Public Insurance Plan New York Times - 06/11/09 - As the health care debate heats up, the American Medical Association is letting Congress know that it will oppose creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan, which President Obama and many other Democrats see as an essential element of legislation to remake the health care system. The opposition, which comes as Mr. Obama prepares to address the powerful doctors’ group on Monday in Chicago, could be a major hurdle for advocates of a public insurance plan. The A.M.A., with about 250,000 members, is America’s largest physician organization.
W.H.O. Raises Alert Level as Flu Spreads to 74 Countries New York Times - 06-11-2009 - The World Health Organization has told its member nations it is declaring a swine flu pandemic — the first global flu epidemic in 41 years, news services reported. The move came after an emergency meeting with flu experts here that was convened after a sharp rise in cases in Australia, which reported 1,263 cases on Thursday, and rising numbers in Britain, Japan, Chile and elsewhere. In a statement sent to member countries, the W.H.O. said it decided to raise the pandemic alert level from phase 5 to 6, indicating a global pandemic outbreak, The Associated Press said, attributing the information to health officials from Scotland, Indonesia and Thailand. An official announcement of the change was due at 6 p.m. Geneva time on Thursday (noon in New York).
AMA Looks to Put Brakes on Debt Load of Med Students
Wall Street Journal - 06/11/09 - Medical students who went into debt could figure on owing $126,714 in 2007 on average, up from $88,331 in 2000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. You can figure the debt tab has only gone up since then.
Such statistics are being cited by American Medical Association as docs prepare for their annual confab in Chicago next week. There are hundreds of policy recommendations on the agenda — including some strategies aimed at reducing the med-student debt.
Suggestions under consideration would take approval by powers greater than the AMA. They include providing tax deductibility for tuition and loans, and expanding state and federal scholarship opportunities.
