Aspect of Need Addressed: MedicalI received an update from the National Association of Social Workers today. It reports that President Obama has recently signed the "Continuing Extension Act of 2010." This new law, retroactive to April 1, extends through May 31 (only) the "zero percent update" of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Without this legislation, the fees of Medicare providers would have been cut by21%!
This makes me nervous. The debate around the new health care recently passed talked a lot about some $500 million out of Medicare expenses. The 21% cut was factored into the economics of the bill. This increase immediately busts the cost savings that were predicted in the debate.
Everyone on Medicare, especially our disabled loved ones, should be alert to this issue. How are we to tackle the heavy costs of Medicare? Who can say?
This issue creates a conundrum for me. On the one hand, I am very worried about the out-of-control spending increases within the new health bill. On the other, I am very leery of price caps, and especially price cuts, being imposed on doctors. Too many doctors are already opting out of Medicare, feeling that Medicare's pricing and paperwork are not worth the candle.
This makes me nervous. The debate around the new health care recently passed talked a lot about some $500 million out of Medicare expenses. The 21% cut was factored into the economics of the bill. This increase immediately busts the cost savings that were predicted in the debate.
Everyone on Medicare, especially our disabled loved ones, should be alert to this issue. How are we to tackle the heavy costs of Medicare? Who can say?
This issue creates a conundrum for me. On the one hand, I am very worried about the out-of-control spending increases within the new health bill. On the other, I am very leery of price caps, and especially price cuts, being imposed on doctors. Too many doctors are already opting out of Medicare, feeling that Medicare's pricing and paperwork are not worth the candle.
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