AAOS has taken these positions on key issues covered in the Ryan plan:
• Legislators should consider privatizing some or all of the Medicare program with patient protection standards ensuring Medicare dollars are employed for patient care.
• The expansion of enrollment eligibility should not be considered; instead, the eligibility age should be raised incrementally and consistently with Social Security.
• Seniors should be able to have a Medicare Medical Savings Account instead of Health Savings Accounts, and any transitions from the latter to the former should be made seamless.
• The sustainability growth rate Medicare reimbursement formula currently causes problems to accessible and quality healthcare and will present continued problems if it isn’t fixed going forward.
• Tort reform must occur to allow for more equitable and efficient conclusions to medical liability cases.
• Fraud and abuse should be eliminated in Medicare, and the organization pledges to continue education efforts surrounding the issue.
• Managed care should be offered within Medicare and have effective patient protection measures, with Medicare Advantage payments closely reflecting the cost paid in Medicare fee-for-service plans.
Read the report about orthopedic care advocacy.
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