July 13, 2009

 

ASA applauds “Blue Dog Coalition” for its stance on public plan option

The Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative House democrats, has submitted a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer outlining a number of concerns about the Tri-Committee draft health reform bill.  ASA strongly supports the Blue Dog Coalition’s concerns about a public plan option based on Medicare payment rates.

ASA President Roger A. Moore, M.D., has released the following statement in response to the Blue Dog Coalition’s letter:

“On behalf of ASA’s 43,000 physician members, I applaud the Blue Dog Coalition members and leadership for opposing a public plan option based on Medicare rates, and for recognizing that a Medicare-like public option would negatively impact doctors and patients.  Further, I am pleased that the Coalition maintains that physicians and other health care providers should be able to voluntarily participate in the program, rather than being mandated by Congress.

“We are working together on one of the most comprehensive health care reform efforts this government has ever undertaken.  We commend the “Tri-Committee” members and staff for their efforts toward meaningful and effective delivery reform.  However, we believe that as part of responsible reform, we must ensure that a public plan option fairly compensate physicians for their services.  As it stands, Medicare pays anesthesiologists 33 percent of what private insurers pay—a rate that simply does not cover the costs of providing anesthesiology medical care.  An expansion of this inadequate payment system as proposed by the “Tri-Committee” would not be sustainable for private practice and academic anesthesiologists.

“Anesthesiologists are specialized physicians who care for patients before, during and after surgery.  Beyond the OR, anesthesiologists treat pain and save lives in critical care units, using their skills and unparalleled medical knowledge to keep patients safe when they need it most.  Anesthesiologists alone have been recognized by the Institute of Medicine as the leaders in patient safety, and we continually strive to improve the quality of patient care.  We support responsible health care reform that protects patients and ultimately strengthens our health care system.

 “We commend the leadership and members of the Blue Dog Coalition for their efforts on this important issue.”