Docs Warn of "Meltdown" Over Medicare Cuts
Political gridlock in the Senate triggered a legal requirement Monday for a 21 percent cut in Medicare fees to doctors, who warned they may have to limit care for seniors unless the reductions are reversed.
Hoping the Senate will act soon to stave off the cuts, the Obama administration directed Medicare billing contractors to hold off processing claims for 10 business days. Medicare normally takes 14 days to pay doctors, so there would be no reduction in reimbursement if lawmakers move quickly.
"Our No. 1 goal is to avoid disrupting payments to physicians during this time," said Jonathan Blum, who directs the Medicare division that handles payments to providers.
But the American Medical Association assailed lawmakers for allowing the cuts to go through, saying it shows the political system is failing to address manageable problems with health care, let alone big challenges like covering the uninsured and trying to slow rising costs.
"Our message to the U.S. Senate is to stop playing games with Medicare patients and the physicians who care for them," said Dr. James Rohack, president of the doctors' group.
Funding to temporarily stave off the cuts was part of a bill passed last week by the House. But the Senate failed to act on the one-month fix because Republican Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky objected that the $10 billion measure would add to the deficit.
The Medicare cuts are the consequence of a 1990s deficit reduction measure that Congress has routinely waived for years. But every time the cuts are postponed, they only get bigger in percentage terms, making a permanent fix more costly and difficult.
Republican leaders in Congress have pledged to help pass legislation to temporarily restore the funding. But there's no consensus on a long-term solution. The Obama administration and most Democrats favor repealing the 1990s law that called for the cuts to doctors, arguing that it never worked in the first place.
The AMA's Rohack said the instability is damaging the popular health insurance program for seniors — and is a harbinger of bigger problems, if Congress fails to act this year on a health care overhaul. The doctor cuts are a prime example of why postponing action won't work when it comes to medical costs and the uninsured.
Coincidentally, the Medicare cuts come as the doctors' group opens a major issue advocacy conference in Washington this week. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is scheduled to address the AMA on Tuesday.
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AP Hoping the Senate will act soon to stave off the cuts, the Obama administration directed Medicare billing contractors to hold off processing claims for 10 business days. Medicare normally takes 14 days to pay doctors, so there would be no reduction in reimbursement if lawmakers move quickly.
"Our No. 1 goal is to avoid disrupting payments to physicians during this time," said Jonathan Blum, who directs the Medicare division that handles payments to providers.
But the American Medical Association assailed lawmakers for allowing the cuts to go through, saying it shows the political system is failing to address manageable problems with health care, let alone big challenges like covering the uninsured and trying to slow rising costs.
"Our message to the U.S. Senate is to stop playing games with Medicare patients and the physicians who care for them," said Dr. James Rohack, president of the doctors' group.
Funding to temporarily stave off the cuts was part of a bill passed last week by the House. But the Senate failed to act on the one-month fix because Republican Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky objected that the $10 billion measure would add to the deficit.
The Medicare cuts are the consequence of a 1990s deficit reduction measure that Congress has routinely waived for years. But every time the cuts are postponed, they only get bigger in percentage terms, making a permanent fix more costly and difficult.
Republican leaders in Congress have pledged to help pass legislation to temporarily restore the funding. But there's no consensus on a long-term solution. The Obama administration and most Democrats favor repealing the 1990s law that called for the cuts to doctors, arguing that it never worked in the first place.
The AMA's Rohack said the instability is damaging the popular health insurance program for seniors — and is a harbinger of bigger problems, if Congress fails to act this year on a health care overhaul. The doctor cuts are a prime example of why postponing action won't work when it comes to medical costs and the uninsured.
Coincidentally, the Medicare cuts come as the doctors' group opens a major issue advocacy conference in Washington this week. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is scheduled to address the AMA on Tuesday.
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2K Federal Transport Workers Face Furlough
Jim Bunning Offers Middle Finger to Reporter
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care
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It is impossible for physicians to continue doing business in the same way they have and see Medicare and Tricare patients when their reimbursement will be decreased by a whopping 21.4%
I think you will see physicians nation wide retire, take fewer Medicare patients, take less time with them at the visit and even opt out of the Medicare program. You will also see a decrease in the number of applicants to medical school. Who wants to go into a business where you are responsible for peoples' health and life; you can be sued for any thing and you are going to be paid less and less? For all of you out there that receive Medicare benefits or valued Military families on Tricare.... Please call your Senators and Representatives and let them know how they are jeopardizing your health care!
Our whole government has sold out and you aren't the beneficiary. Not only are they ineffective because of stupid ideology on both sides, the whole bunch are Scoundrels and Thieves.
When you take sides, Republican or Democrat, you are falling for the political tricks they have been pulling on us for 40 years. I don't know what the answers are but sniping at each other blaming Bush or Obama is not it.
Oh yes, those all so rich doctors.
And if by chance you get in an accident at 3 a.m. while drunk driving they get to try to save your life. If they are slightly tired and make one small mistake, you will sue them for all they have and they are done. Happy now?
Remember, they lost big time in the elections. They had their chance to lead and they failed. Miserably. They are just awful, violent, racist, arrogant morons every last lizard brained reactionary one.
Why don't you think about what you are saying and realize that the filibuster has saved more stupid House laws from becoming law than we can count. Be thankful for the filibuster. I do not always like it being used either, but understand the historical significance of it and appreciate its ability to force reasonableness instead of extremism. Or if I understand you, only the hated republicans are unreasonable and everything Pelosi and Reid propose is reasonable, right?