OPINIONWork to avert a Medicare payment crisisAMA Leader Commentary. By Yank D. Coble Jr. MD. Oct. 21, 2002. A message to all physicians from AMA President Yank D. Coble Jr., MD. For months, the AMA has warned that continued cuts in Medicare payments to physicians will mean access problems for Medicare patients. Our fears have become reality. What's more, the problem will only get worse, unless Congress passes legislation that can be signed into law -- and quickly -- to prevent additional Medicare payment cuts. Across the country, more and more physicians have come to the sad realization that accepting new Medicare patients under the current reimbursement system is a losing proposition. Two-thirds of physicians work in practices that are essentially small businesses. Payment cuts of nearly 18% over four years, at a time when medical liability costs are soaring, could put such practices out of business -- so more and more doctors feel forced to limit the number of Medicare patients they accept. Recent surveys show the first round of drastic Medicare cuts already has had a negative impact on patient access:
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Copyright 2002 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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