Anesthesiology Specific Amendment to H.R. 3200 Introduced in House of Representatives
Chicago —
(October 20, 2009)
A new development in the health care reform debate would directly impact anesthesiologists' payment under a new proposed government-sponsored health plan, or "public plan."
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30) has introduced an amendment to H.R. 3200, health reform legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, that would de-link anesthesia payments from Medicare rates under a public plan. Instead, the amendment would ensure that any public plan allows for payment at "not less than the average rate paid by Exchange-participating health benefits plans." This would level the playing field and ensure fair anesthesiology payments.
Democratic leadership is deliberating the final version of H.R. 3200. In the process, they must merge three separate Committee versions of the bill, two of which include a public plan based upon Medicare payment rates. ASA has consistently lobbied for negotiated payment rates, as included in a third Committee version of H.R. 3200.
Recent press reports and reports from ASA lobbyists indicate the House is leaning toward including a public plan tied to Medicare rates.
Please call your Representative and ask him or her to support the Johnson amendment.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Anesthesiologists: Physicians providing the lifeline of modern medicine. Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association with 46,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.
For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists Web site at www.asahq.org. For patient information, visit LifeLineToModernMedicine.com
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