Wednesday
Jun242009
More Physicians Needed For Health Care Reform
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 3:21PM
By Aaron Richardson and Sam Wechsler - Talk Radio News Service
The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009, which has recently been introduced to the House and Senate, would raise the cap on the number of resident physicians created by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The bill is backed primarily by Representatives Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 only permits a certain number of Medicare supported resident physicians in each state. Under current conditions, if a hospital hires more than the capped number they will not be paid back for the surplus of residents.
While the population of the country has risen significantly in the last 12 years, the amount of resident physicians has not. This has resulted in a higher patient to physician ratio.
If health reform legislation is passed, then there will not be enough physicians to care for the newly insured. “Covering 45 million uninsured individuals is going to place an incredible burden on an already stressed out system,” said Crowley.
The act sets out to increase the number of young primary care physicians. This is especially important to Florida, where 25 percent of primary care physicians are 65 years of age or older.
“I believe this is a health access crisis” said Stephen Klasko, Dean of the University of South Florida College of Medicine, during a press conference with Castor and Crowley.
The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009, which has recently been introduced to the House and Senate, would raise the cap on the number of resident physicians created by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The bill is backed primarily by Representatives Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 only permits a certain number of Medicare supported resident physicians in each state. Under current conditions, if a hospital hires more than the capped number they will not be paid back for the surplus of residents.
While the population of the country has risen significantly in the last 12 years, the amount of resident physicians has not. This has resulted in a higher patient to physician ratio.
If health reform legislation is passed, then there will not be enough physicians to care for the newly insured. “Covering 45 million uninsured individuals is going to place an incredible burden on an already stressed out system,” said Crowley.
The act sets out to increase the number of young primary care physicians. This is especially important to Florida, where 25 percent of primary care physicians are 65 years of age or older.
“I believe this is a health access crisis” said Stephen Klasko, Dean of the University of South Florida College of Medicine, during a press conference with Castor and Crowley.
GOP Senators: Let’s Start Over On Health Care
Republican Senators reiterated Wednesday their desire to let the public to see the health care bill before Congress considers passing it, adding that if a bipartisan bill couldn’t be created that included the key elements of their proposals such as cutting costs and coverage for everyone, they should just start over.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) argued that attempting to pass a health care bill before the August recess creates a “false deadline.”
“My recommendation to the President is to back off on that [deadline]. He’s going to find plenty of us to work with on a common sense proposal,” said Coburn. “Back off...and take us at our word that we truly want to work to solve this problem and I think that’s reflective of the vast majority of our conference.”
Coburn was joined by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to discuss the Republican health care agenda. Both Coburn and Barrasso are the Senate’s only two doctors.
Barrasso said physicians know we need health care reform. He also noted that we must get the costs under control and improve patient care.
“We’re here as two doctors to say we want to make this system better for all Americans,” said Barraso.
Coburn highlighted the need for Republicans to continue working and not slow down or lose focus as they continually push for their proposals to be seriously considered.