10/19/09 - Liability and Health News ALERT
ACTION NEEDED to protect seniors' access to care - Tell your senator to support S 1776
by Donna Baver Rovito, Editor, "Liability and Health News Update"
Author, "Pennsylvania's Disappearing Doctors"
http://liabilityandhealthnewsupdate.blogspot.com
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This LIABILITY UPDATE/Health Care Focus "newsletter" is a free service which I provide, as a volunteer, to help supply medical liability reform and other health care news and information, legislative updates, and political insight to physicians, patients, liability reform and quality health care advocates. NO ONE pays me to do this.
I am not employed by any physician or health care reform advocacy or liability reform organization, political party or candidate, although I volunteer for several. I am a quality health care, physician and patient advocate, breast cancer survivor, physician's spouse, journalist, political noisemaker, mom, and freelance writer. I am not nor will I ever claim to be unbiased, unlike many in the mainstream media.
Most information in this newsletter is copied and pasted from other sources, and will always be identified with links. Opinions and clarifications are my own, and do not reflect the official position of any physician or patient advocacy organization, tort reform, or health care reform group unless stated as such. My opinions are placed in double parentheses ((my opinion)), italicized and appear in blue. This Update is emailed to health professionals, physician and patient advocates, and others interested in ensuring access to quality medical care. It also appears on the following BLOG: http://liabilityandhealthnewsupdate.blogspot.com.
If you'd prefer not to receive these periodic updates about health care issues in America, please hit "Reply" and put "Unsub health group" in the subject line and I'll remove your email address immediately.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO EVERY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR PATIENT YOU KNOW, AND SEND ME MORE EMAIL ADDRESSES SO WE CAN GET THIS INFORMATION TO MORE OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.
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Commentary
This is the VERY LATEST information from the AMA on the effort to repeal the flawed SGR formula for Medicare physician reimbursement.
It is NOT an increase in payments - merely an elimination of the formula which calls for a cumulative reduction of 40% in reimbursements. Future Medicare reimbursement policies and rates will be part of broader health care reform.
For now, though, elimination of this flawed formula, which is, in effect, Congress' acknowledgement that this has been wrong ALL ALONG, would be a huge victory for physicians and their senior citizen and military family patients.
The cloture vote expected today is no longer necessary - details follow in the first item from AMAdvocate. However, there will be votes this week, so your calls and emails are still URGENT.
PLEASE CALL or EMAIL your Senator today.
I utilized the AMA's capwiz feature to send my own letter to Casey and Specter, and it took about 5 minutes. Click here to access this easy-to-use feature. You can use the AMA's sample letter, change it, add your own text to it, or write something of your own. http://www.capwiz.com/ama/issues/alert/?alertid=14182381&type=CO
Here's what I sent:
Dear Senator,
It is imperative that you support S 1776 in order to maintain quality medical care for senior citizens. Should the flawed SGR formula which has threatened massive reimbursement cuts for physicians since 2003, a move prevented by Congress each year, ever go into effect, thousands of physicians will no longer be able to afford to treat seniors.
While it was always questionable for Congress to count that cumulative 40% reduction in reimbursements as "income," it should also be pointed out now that NOT reducing the reimbursement rate isn't really "a cost" to the government. Therefore, repairing Congress's 1999 error in creating the flawed SGR formula shouldn't belong in the wider health care debate in the first place, and the Senate is to be commended for taking independent action on this.
Your support will be appreciated - and may well keep many American doctors in business and able to treat their senior citizen patients.
Peter F. Rovito, MD and Donna Baver Rovito
Or call:
* Senator Specter: (202) 224-4254 Web Form: specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...
* Senator Casey: (202) 224-6324 Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact/
Or use the AMA Physicians' Grassroots Hotline at (800) 833-6354
I've also included information from several physician specialty societies, if you'd prefer to use their web features to make contact. I'm not playing favorites (I have a soft spot for ALL kinds of doctors) - these are several from which I either receive regular updates, or which have been forwarded to me from readers.
It doesn't really matter HOW you contact your Senators, as long as you do - TODAY, PLEASE, while you're thinking of it and you can quickly dial or click on the link. Or, ideally - do BOTH.
It's ironic that many of the legislators who supported repeal of the flawed SGR formula during the last administration seem to be opposed to it right now.....but this is how politics works and why it is SO important for physicians and patients to stay engaged and active.
PLEASE make contact today. And thank you ALL for your participation so far!
DBR
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From AMAdvocate
The AMA Physicians' Grassroots Network
U.S. Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and U.S. Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have reached an agreement that will allow the Senate to proceed to S. 1776 next week.
As such, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the bill that had been scheduled for Monday, October 19th is no longer necessary and has been cancelled.
Senators Reid and McConnell will negotiate an agreement which will permit a very limited number of amendments to S. 1776 to be offered and voted upon. We expect that there will be one or more votes on S. 1776 next week, including a critical vote on a motion to waive the budget act with respect to the bill.
While the vote is no longer on Monday, the legislation will still move very quickly. It is critical that you continue to reach out to to your senators and ask them to support of this legislation.
Use our hotline at (800) 833-6354 and call your senators or email them here.
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From AMA's website:
Action Alert
Tell your senators to support S. 1776
On Jan. 1, 2010, Medicare physician payments are scheduled to be cut by more than 20 percent. While Congress is committed to passing health system reform this year, it is critical that your senators realize that real health system reform means repealing the flawed Medicare payment system.
S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009," is a new bill that was just submitted in the Senate this week. Senate leadership announced that the bill will serve as the Senate legislative vehicle for eliminating the SGR and laying the foundation for establishing a new Medicare physician payment update system.Bill S. 1776 repeals the SGR. It wipes the slate clean. It starts us down the path toward a permanent solution to an annual problem.
Call your senators using the Physicians' Grassroots Hotline at (800) 833-6354 and then use the form below to send them an email. Tell your senators to support S. 1776.
AMA Sample Letter:
S. 1776 is an important bill that needs your support!
On Jan. 1, 2010, Medicare physician payments are scheduled to be cut by more than 20 percent, with other cuts coming in future years. Cuts of this magnitude threaten the stability and security of the Medicare program.
S. 1776 starts us down the path to real Medicare reform by repealing the sustainable growth rate payment formula. It wipes the slate clean, and erases the debt that was produced by short-term patches that stopped cuts over the past seven years. It sets the stage for a permanent solution to an annual problem.
As a physician who struggles with these issues year after year, I urge you to support S. 1776.
Please, be a champion for the patients and the physicians of our state.
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Doctors begin TV ads pressing Congress on Medicare
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ip_3G2TO8uvc1WknXFCob6L9VlLgD9BBQE304
By ALAN FRAM (AP) – 2 days ago
WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association is launching a coast-to-coast TV ad campaign to press Congress to approve higher payments for doctors treating Medicare patients.
The doctors group announced the ads Thursday, a day after Democrats agreed to push a $247 billion bill through the Senate next week averting scheduled cuts in physicians' Medicare fees over the next decade. A 21 percent reduction is scheduled for January, with other cuts in subsequent years.
The ad, which the AMA said would cost seven figures, says the bill will "protect seniors' access to quality care" and urges people to contact their senators to tell them to vote for it. Restoring the money has long been a top priority for doctors' lobbyists.
The spots will run in 12 states with wavering senators of both parties, including North Carolina, Florida and Alaska, and in Washington, D.C.
The measure will require 60 votes to pass the Senate to overcome delaying tactics by opponents. The bill, which also needs House approval, would be paid for with federal borrowing, which has provoked opposition from many Republicans and some deficit-conscious Democrats.
Meanwhile, two people familiar with a meeting Wednesday among top Senate Democrats, administration officials and members of several doctors' organizations said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told physicians at the session to "back off" on another priority — curbing lawsuits for medical malpractice.
Reid, D-Nev., told the doctors the liability issue was causing divisions and complicating Democrats' efforts to pass health care overhaul legislation. Trial lawyers, another influential lobby, strongly oppose limits on medical liability. ((Not likely that physicians OR the general public will back off THAT one....))
The two spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private. Neither attended the session, but each was given a description by people who had.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said he had no information on the meeting.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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From ACEP
((Thanks to Dr. George Schroeder, a brand new American citizen and political activist par excellence who used to practice medicine in Canada, and, as such, KNOWS that government-run healthcare is a disaster, for this update from his specialty society, the American College of Emergency Physicians.))
October 16, 2009 Volume 5, Number 30
Congressional Schedule
Next week, the Senate is expected to take up legislation to eliminate the SGR formula used to calculate Medicare physician payments (see below) and a Homeland Security spending bill and Defense authorization bill.. The House is expected to take up a solar energy bill and legislation to authorize funding for the Coast Guard.
http://www.capwiz.com/acep/home/
Senate to Vote on SGR Fix
As reported in yesterday's ACEP Advocacy Alert, the Senate is scheduled to vote next week on a bill, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act" (S. 1776), that would eliminate Medicare's fundamentally flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula used to reimburse physicians.
ACEP was one of the select few physician organizations that met with Senate leadership and representatives from the White House earlier this week to discuss S. 1776 and the strategy to advance the bill in the Senate.
However, we also need your help! If you have not already done so, please review the SGR Action Alert and call and/or e-mail your two U.S. Senators urging them to support all procedural motions and final passage of this critical legislation. Enactment of this measure would lay the foundation for establishing a new Medicare physician payment system..
You can also find additional background information about Medicare Physician Payment Reform on the ACEP Web site.
FEATURED ALERT
Senate to Vote on SGR Fix
Contact Your U.S. Senators Today to Urge their Support of S.1776
S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009," is a new bill that was introduced in the Senate this week by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Senate leadership announced that the bill will serve as the Senate legislative vehicle for eliminating the SGR and laying the foundation for establishing a new Medicare physician payment update system.S. 1776 repeals the SGR and wipes the slate clean by re-setting the baseline. It starts us down the path toward a permanent solution to an annual problem. Please send an email to your two U.S. Senators through the form below. Tell them to support S. 1776.
Physician Input Crucial as Senate Prepares to Vote on Medicare Payment Fix
http://www.acep.org/advocacy.aspx?id=46865
ACEP was one of the few physician organizations invited to meet with Senate and Administration leadership on Oct. 14 to discuss proposed legislation that would eliminate the flawed Medicare physician payment formula.
The bill, S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009," was introduced on Oct. 13 by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). It will serve as the Senate legislative vehicle for eliminating Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and lay the foundation for establishing a new Medicare physician payment update system.
The Senate is scheduled to take action on the bill Monday, Oct. 19, with the first of several procedural motions that will require 60 votes to pass.
The physician community must take immediate action. Contact your two U.S. Senators immediately and urge them to support passage of S.1776. Let them know how important this legislation is to the seniors and physicians in your state.
The bill repeals the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that is used to establish annual Medicare physician payment updates and resets the budget baseline that has been the primary obstacle to Medicare physician payment reform. By passing a separate bill that repeals the SGR and eliminating the accumulated Medicare physician debt, budget constraints will be eased, allowing a new physician payment update system to be incorporated into the broader health system reform bill.
Take action now. Tell your Senators to support S. 1776. Here's how:
Call 1-800-833-6354 to automatically be connected to your two Senators. Urge them to support all procedural motions and final passage of S.1776
Go to ACEP's Advocacy Center and send an e-mail urging your Senators to support S. 1776.
More information on Medicare Physician Payment Reform
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From the American College of Surgeons
Call your Senators today and tell them that in order to preserve patient access to quality surgical care, Medicare physician payment reform MUST be achieved.
Urge them to vote "yes" on all procedural votes and ultimately on final passage of S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act." The legislation would eliminate the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) by wiping out the SGR deficit, create a new baseline and set future payment updates at zero.
The "Medicare Physician Fairness Act" (S. 1776) is NOT the "America's Healthy Future Act" that was passed out of the Senate Finance Committee bill earlier this week. S. 1776 is the first step towards reforming the Medicare payment system. Future updates are likely to be determined as a part of comprehensive health care reform legislation.
SUMMARY Passage of S. 1776 is the critical first step to reforming the health care delivery system and implementing meaningful health care reform. As you are well aware, on January 1, 2010, surgeons, and all physicians, face a 22% cut in Medicare reimbursement.
To reform Medicare's payment system and find more innovative models of Medicare physician payment, Congress must first immediately and permanently eliminate the SGR. Your help is absolutely essential in this effort! Contact your Senators today and tell them to vote "yes" on all procedural votes and ultimately on final passage of S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act."
Click here for more information.
INSTRUCTIONS Please call toll-free 1-877-925-8742 You will be asked to enter your zip code and will then be connected to your Senators' offices. Once you are connected, tell them you are a constituent and leave your name, phone number, and address, along with the suggested message below.
PHONE MESSAGE As a surgeon and as your constituent, I urge to vote "yes" on all procedural votes and ultimately on final passage of S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act."
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CONTACT ACS ADVOCACY STAFF:
Washington Office Phone: 202-337-2701 or Email: ahp@facs.org
Sincerely, Brent Eastman, M.D, FACS, Chair of the ACS Board of Regents
LaMar McGinnis, M.D., FACS, President of the American College of Surgeons
Andrew Warshaw, M.D., FACS, Chair of the ACS Health Policy and Advocacy Group
Christian Shalgian, ACS Director, Division of Advocacy and Health Policy
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From the Uniformed Services Disabled Retiress:
((From a veteran and savvy Patriot - thank you, Loel, for both your service and for another perspective on this issue!))
All
I took action on this and hope you will also.
There is a strong possibility that congress will ignore the people and pass ObamaCare. If this happens Medicare funding will be cut in 2010 by 27%. This will have a disastrous effect on our medical coverage and will in all likely cause many doctors to stop taking Medicare patients and that means Tricare for Life will become worthless.
There is also a very strong possibility that there will be a public option by the government in the final bill. This will lead to a disastrous medical program like most third world countries have, with eventually the government controlling all medical services. Everything the government has run has been a disaster. To me, that is not acceptable.
It is time to wake up and start letting your congressman know how you feel. If you wait, you will live with the outcome.
Loel
----- Original Message -----
From: USDR Action Alerts
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 4:14 PM
Subject: Urge Your Senators to Vote FOR S. 1776 - Medicare Physician Fairness Act
Take Action!
Stop Medicare/TRICARE Cuts
As you are likely aware, for the past several years, the Congress has had to pass legislation to cancel reductions in physician reimbursements mandated by Medicare Law and appropriately adjust the reimbursement ratios with series of one-year fixes. However, each annual fix has simply been a "band-aid" such that even larger payment cuts are mandated the following year.
Unless current law is changed, Medicare and TRICARE payments will be cut 21% in January 2010 - which would devastate seniors' and military beneficiaries' health care access by deterring doctors from accepting them as patients.
S. 1776 "Medicare Physician Fairness Act" would permanently fix the formula used to compute the annual adjustments and is expected to be brought to the Senate floor for vote next week, possibly as early as Monday, October 19.
Please click TAKE ACTION to send a USDR suggested message to your Senators to urge them to vote for this most important legislation.
Concerning Participation: Medicare affects us all. If you fail to act now, you have no right to complain later when you can not find a health care provider who will accept Medicare/Tricare/TFL.
To Unsubscribe: You may unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time by visiting here. To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, please add the email address Legislative@USDR.ORG to your address book or junk filter settings.
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From ACOG:
http://capwiz.com/acog/home/
FEATURED ALERT
Permanently Fix the Medicare Physician Payment Problem
Call Your Senators Today!
S. 1776, the Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009 introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), would erase the SGR formula and eliminate the cliff. After S. 1776 passes, a new payment system will be included in the Senate health care reform bill. It is important to understand that S. 1776, the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, is NOT the Senate Finance health reform bill and is not the health reform bill that will come to the Senate floor.
The Senate will vote on S. 1776 on Tuesday October 20. The Senate will need 60 votes on each of three procedural motions before a final vote to pass the bill. To wipe away the SGR call today and Monday and urge your Senators to SUPPORT S.1776 on all procedural and final votes....
Permanently Fix the Medicare Physician Payment Problem
Email Your Senators Today!
S. 1776, the Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009 introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), would erase the SGR formula and eliminate the cliff. After 1776 passes, a new payment system will be included in the Senate health care reform bill. It is important to understand that S. 1776, the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, is NOT the Senate Finance health reform bill and is not the health reform bill that will come to the Senate floor. ...
Urgent Action Needed to Include Alternatives to Medical Liability in Health Care Reform
We need your help with what may be our most difficult battle in health care reform, winning medical liability reform....
Take Action
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PLEASE FORWARD THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO EVERY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR PATIENT YOU KNOW, AND SEND ME MORE EMAIL ADDRESSES SO WE CAN GET THIS INFORMATION TO MORE OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.
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