Statement From the Pennsylvania Medical Society Regarding Mcare and PA ABC
The following is a statement from Peter S. Lund, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, regarding the society’s position on Mcare and its link to insurance for the uninsured. Dr. Lund is a practicing urologist from Erie, Pa.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society has long believed that the foundation for good health care is the patient-doctor relationship. But in today’s world, that relationship often hinges upon influences from others not directly in the exam room.
That’s one reason why physicians step up to the plate to provide free care to the uninsured in their own offices and through clinics and hospital settings. For physicians, this is a compelling issue.
While doctors are often willing to help the uninsured, our organization believes that when individuals have health insurance they are more likely to access care without concern. Too often the uninsured go without preventive care due to costs. And, sometimes they’ll put off more serious concerns also due to costs. So, it’s very important to find ways to make health insurance both affordable and available to all who want it.
Pennsylvania physicians also know that liability insurance rates in Pennsylvania are too high. Research shows that Pennsylvania rates are among some of the highest in the country. Our state’s physicians must carry $1 million worth of medical liability insurance, or they are not allowed to help patients. So, it’s equally important to find ways to reduce the cost of medical liability insurance if we want to keep physicians available and ready to take care of patients.
This particularly is an important point to remember since data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health indicates that our state lost more than 1,600 physicians engaged in direct patient care during the last two licensing renewal cycles.
In recent months, regrettably, both doctors and patients have been put in the middle of a political debate. And, because of political maneuvering, health insurance and medical liability insurance are linked together through a proposal to help doctors defray liability insurance costs and also extend affordable health care coverage to the state's uninsured adults.
So, as we lose doctors engaged in patient care, and since Pennsylvania has too many uninsured, now is an ideal time for legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle and the Administration to continue to work together to craft legislation in which our state can reduce both the number of uninsured and the cost of medical liability insurance.
Pennsylvania physicians are hopeful that this will be a priority issue in order to build a win-win situation for both patients and their doctors. And, as we’ve said in the past, the Pennsylvania Medical Society is prepared to work with all parties toward a comprehensive solution.
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The patient-doctor relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. The Medical Society listens to concerns of both patients and doctors to improve the delivery of health care services. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit its website at www.pamedsoc.org or its consumer website at www.myfamilywellness.org.
Last Updated: 4/28/2008