Public Option: Ensure preparedness and resources

The Public Option is a proposed government-run health insurance plan that would compete with private plans and rely upon artificially low Medicare payment rates. For anesthesiologists, a health care system that bases payments on historic Medicare payment rates is unsustainable.

Resources for You

• Read more (PDF) about how ASA is working to ensure access to affordable health care services for all Americans and fair payment rates for physician anesthesiologists.
• Read a study (PDF) completed by ASA that quantifies the impact of expanded Medicare payment rates on anesthesiology practices.
• Video (below): Neal H. Cohen, MD, MPH, MA, Chair of the Section on Professional Practice, 2021, details patient health care coverage, how the options impact anesthesiologists and the potential for negative financial ramifications, and what ASA is doing to help resolve the issues and what you can do to help articulate and address the problem.