'Doc Fix' Just Got More Expensive (AMA Sleeps with Obama and gets fleas)

National Journal ^ | January 31, 2012 | Margot Sanger-Katz and Meghan McCarthy

[C19fan]

Permanent repeal of the flawed Medicare payment formula known as the sustainable growth rate just got a lot more expensive.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, which released its new Budget and Economic Outlook report on Tuesday morning, a 10-year repeal of the growth-rate formula that froze doctors' rates at current levels would cost $316 billion, compared with $290 billion when CBO last calculated the rate in November. The difference may make permanent repeal of the formula--always a long shot--even less palatable to lawmakers.

[C19fan]

If the GOP had any cajones, I know that is likely as pigs flying, they would tell the AMA to pound sand and make the 'Doctor Fix' contingent on a full repeal of ObamaCare. The reimbursement rates were frozen as part of ObamaCare to make it appear the fraud reduced the deficit. The AMA went along with this charade and actively supported ObamaCare. The AMA should be made to sleep in the bed it made.

[circlecity]

This is why more medical “coverage” does not equal more health care. Ultimately physicians will refuse to accept medicare/medicade/Obamacare patients because it isn’t cost effective. If the Dems ever obtain complete control again I guarantee they will pass a law prohibiting any health care providor from refusing to accept a patient on the basis that they are dependant on medicare/medicade/obamacare to pay their bills. Doctors then become, essentially, slaves to the State if they want to practice medicine.

[brownsfan]

“If the GOP had any cajones, I know that is likely as pigs flying, “

I heard Jim Quinn today, and his explanation of what’s going on is beautiful in it’s simplicity, and most likely dead on correct.

The GOP doesn’t really care if it wins the White House, in fact, the establishment Republicans would rather not win the White House. What they want is to make gains in the House and Senate. The GOP would love to control both houses of Congress. However, with Obama still in the White House, the GOP can use that for cover in keeping Obamacare, while trying to protect their benefactor’s interests with the power of Congress.

Notice there is nothing at all about the American people, or the good of the country in that equation.

[goodnesswins]

YEP, I’ve been trying to explain that to people...healthcare will only be for the RICH soon...

[San Jacinto]

AMA is so infested, they can give obama fleas.

Ditto ABA, AARP, etc.

[Ozymandias Ghost]

Wanted to point out that this is not your father’s AMA ...it is decidedly Leftist and it represents LESS THAN 40% of all PRACTICING PHYSICIANS; probably less than 25%.

Link: http://www.sermo.com/blog/2009/07/08/from-the-founder-the-biggest-risk-to-us-physicians-the-ama/

[GeronL]

The AMA was created to raise prices in the first place I think

[hinckley buzzard]

This would be the inevitable outcome of a full " single payer" healthcare system. Americans who can afford it will then be following their doctors as they flood into other, freer, countries.

[kahits]

From what my wife, who is a doctor, is telling me, it won’t be long before most physician’s are employed by hospitals, and those who are not, won’t be able to survive.

[Mom MD]

Would be fine with me. The AMA is a liberal lobbying group that has nothing to do with most physicians. I don’t believe I even know a colleague that belongs to the AMA