AMA to Newsday: AMA appreciates Saul Friedman

Newsday
Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

As the nation's largest physician organization, the American Medical Association appreciates Saul Friedman's ongoing efforts to highlight important health issues affecting seniors.

The AMA has partnered with AARP to ensure that seniors have continued access to health care under Medicare by working together to stop harsh Medicare physician payment cuts. Going forward, if Congress redirects Medicare Advantage's excess payments, lawmakers can stop planned Medicare physician payment cuts, limit premium increases for seniors and boost federal assistance to low-income patients for prescription drug coverage. While Mr. Friedman takes issue with the fact that AARP offers seniors these Medicare private insurance plans, we believe it is to their credit that they are vocal advocates for eliminating the $54 billion bonus check the government gives insurers.

Sincerely,

Ronald M. Davis, MD
President
American Medical Association