AAPS Warns Against Proposed “Permanent Fix” to SGR

Association of American Physicians and Surgeons ^ | 02/10/14 | Jane Orient

[grumpygresh]

Once again, the American Medical Association is calling on patients and doctors to barrage Congress with pleas to permanently end the Clinton-Gingrich Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula for cutting Medicare costs.

The proposed tiny yearly “updates” (0.5%) for 5 years are even less than the inadequate Social Security cost-of-living increases. The cost of a postage stamp, for example, increased by 6.5% in January.

“How can the AMA possibly agree to a virtual 5-year fee freeze when the value of the dollar could deteriorate drastically?” Orient asks.

AAPS argues that Medicare can calculate reimbursements however it likes, but the fee should properly be determined only by mutual agreement of patient and physician.

[grumpygresh]

The AMA is working with the corrupt regime to fix rates. This will only increase the exodus of physicians from Medicare. Maybe that's a good thing.

[bfh333]

Yes & no...

As more doctors leave Medicare, they will be replaced with 3rd world doctors that are loyal to Obamacare...

While this doesn’t directly effect me, my father worked for 30 years at the same company and had GREAT insurance. Once he hit 65, he was cancelled and sent to Medicare. His doctor has agreed to hold out for as long as he can, but what happens when almost NO ONE participates...

A problem indeed...

[Jedidah]

How, exactly, would fewer doctors accepting Medicare be a good thing??

May what you wish on others return to you ten-fold.

[nascarnation]

Some see it as a “problem”

Others as the “solution” to long term Medicare and SocSec funding.

Every year sliced off the lifespan is HUGE on the $$ numbers.

[Texan5]

All of us who work are forced to pay for medicare out of our paychecks, for a crappy system, with no recourse-you want all of us to see that money lost entirely?

[G Larry]

Hey AAPS!

Here’s the deal:

We’ll bug congress to repeal the SGR,

IF

You first get them to REPEAL OBAMACARE!!!!

[grumpygresh]

I only posed this as a question. Medicare is clearly unsustainable and the longer that this program continues w/o reform, the greater the likelihood for total collapse resulting no health care.
If fewer doctors accepted Medicare now, the problem would have to be dealt with now instead of in the future when reform is impossible. Vouchers, less regulation, along with competitive market pricing could be part of the answer.
But, it might be too late as it is.