President Obama: a letter from our hearts
In the last hours before Medicare releases its final regulations, an open letter to President Obama in America’s top newspapers today asks him to intervene on behalf of America’s heart patients.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs the Medicare program, is scheduled to release the final 2010 Physician Fee Schedule by November 1. If the regulations are implemented as proposed, cardiologists will see cuts of 27-40 percent or more beginning January 1 for common cardiac tests used to diagnose and treat heart disease. The cuts to cardiology are in addition to the 21.5 percent reduction all physicians face in 2010 due to the flawed Sustainable Growth rate formula, and will force practices nationwide to lay off staff, close offices and otherwise reduce access to lifesaving treatments.
The letter calls upon the President to intercede with CMS to prevent the cuts to cardiology. The ads ran in The Washington Post, USA Today, The New York Times, and the President’s hometown newspaper, The Chicago Tribune. Click here to see the letter..
Friday, 30, October 2009 18:15
A decrease in Medicare reimbursement to Physisicians is not acceptable. Many physicians have already opted out of Medicare,some have closed their practice and many more will follow suit. Consequently, it will be very difficult for Seniors to receive quality, lifesaving medical care. Emergency room visits and hospital admissions will skyrocket. Out-of-pocket fees will increase. Those who cannot afford to pay will not go to the doctor. Morbidity and mortality will increase.