Surprise! It’s the NY Times editorial board, who lashes out against the proposed federal Medicaid payment cuts:
Just as the economic crisis is driving many workers into the ranks of the unemployed and uninsured, the Bush administration has callously decided to reduce Medicaid payments to hospitals for their outpatient services. With tax revenues collapsing, many states will be unable to pay their share of Medicaid costs, let alone make up for the loss of federal support.
The impact on the poor and the hospitals that serve them could be severe.
Payment cuts to doctors and hospitals equal a lack of access and a deterioration of patient care. This link needs to be highlighted in any discussion involving physician payment.
A similar situation arose last July, when Congress successfully repealed the planned Medicare payment cuts. I doubt that would have happened without the support of the AARP.
With health reform imminent, it’s essential to get patients on our side. It will immeasurably strengthen our lobbying power going forward.
Related posts:
- The Medicare cuts are looming
- California is cutting Medicaid payments
- New York joins the folly of cutting Medicaid payments
- Medicare cuts: This politician gets it
- Op-ed: Doctors’ pay cuts save little in health costs
- This is your reward for continuing to take Medicaid patients
- Medicare cuts reset
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With the Gray Lady being what it is, the stand is more likely for another round of Bush-bashing and angst against federal spending cuts, than any principled support of doctors. Anyone wanting help from the feds are well advised to have the proverbial long spoon at hand.
Chuck Brooks
FutureWare SCG
did the times not support the medicare legislation from this summer that reversed the cuts?
Doesn’t this conflict with EMTALA? Can doctors turn patients away if they believe the patient can be treated in a physician’s office or outpatient clinic, even if there is a long waiting list for service?
The 13th amendment conflicts with EMTALA.
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