Where Does the State Society Stand on Health Reform?
With the health system reform debate growing more passionate—and more confusing— every day, it’s fair to ask where organized medicine groups like the Pennsylvania Medical Society stand.
First and foremost, the Pennsylvania Medical Society is committed to representing the interests of patients and physicians in Pennsylvania in advocacy and policy related to health system reform. That’s why we have adopted our Eight Essential Principles of Health System Reform.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962)
HR 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act, was approved by the US House of Representatives on Nov. 7, 2009. It contains provisions that are in keeping with the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Eight Essential Principles of Health System Reform, including a measure projected to cover 96 percent of Americans. But it is not a perfect bill, and many areas of deep concern remain. The bill is missing two critical elements:
- A permanent solution to Medicare physician payments (the SGR formula for physician Medicare payment)
- Meaningful medical liability reform legislation applicable to the physicians of Pennsylvania
HR 3962 is not the final legislation on health system reform. Work and debate continues in the US Senate on a separate bill. Differences between House and Senate legislation must be worked out before President Barack Obama can sign a bill into law.
We have opportunity to work for better legislation during this process. The Pennsylvania Medical Society, in keeping with our Eight Essential Principles of Health System Reform, continues to actively advocate for health system reform that:
- Preserves the patient-physician relationship
- Increases patient access to safe and quality care
- Preserves patients’ freedom of choice and physicians’ freedom of practice
- Enhances a competitive medical insurance system with multiple options for insurance purchasers
- Replaces the sustainable growth rate (SGR) with a fair, stable Medicare funding formula
- Provides meaningful medical liability reform to reduce defensive medicine and eliminate litigation costs
The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (HR 3961)
Ensuring the security and stability of Medicare must serve as a fundamental component for any serious health system reform. On Nov. 19, 2009, the US House of Representatives passed HR 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. The bill, if passed by the US Senate and signed by President Obama, would replace the SGR with a new, more rational payment system. Without some kind of fix, Medicare payments are scheduled to decline 21.2 percent on Jan. 1, 2010.
When SGR repeal comes before the US Senate for action, the Pennsylvania Medical Society will encourage all physicians to contact Sen. Arlen Specter and Sen. Bob Casey to voice their support by telling them:
- Vote "YES" on the Senate version of HR 3961.
- Short-term patches that only make future cuts deeper and the cost of a permanent solution more expensive are not the answer.
- The fiscally responsible solution is permanent repeal of the SGR formula.
- Congress must fulfill its obligations to Medicare patients and military families covered by TRICARE.
The AMA and Federal Legislation
We acknowledge that the American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees supported HR 3962 despite the deficiencies in the legislation. Many physicians have disagreed with this action. A delegation of Pennsylvania Medical Society members recently participated in the AMA’s Interim Meeting and helped develop
a new policy statement that refines the AMA’s approach.
Last Updated: 11/20/2009