Stuart L. Weinstein, MD, chair of the AAOS orthopedic political action committee, explained the different perceptions regarding the goals of healthcare reform: some experts view it as an opportunity to improve quality and reduce costs while President Obama’s primary stated goal was to improve coverage. While coverage has been improved, Dr. Weinstein questioned whether cost and quality issues have been addressed.
While AAOS opposes many aspects of healthcare reform law, past president John J. Callaghan, MD, said, “Patient access to musculoskeletal care is our number one issue,” according to the release. The organization must now decide whether to continue opposition and support repeal or to work alongside legislators as rules and regulations are put in place. More than 70 orthopedic surgeons have been nominated to various commissions, institutes and committees relating to the law.
The panelists also discussed healthcare spending. “Much of the discussion is about how money is spent poorly,” said AAOS president Daniel J. Berry, MD. “We need to talk about how money is spent now…We have data to demonstrate our efforts in quality-adjusted life years. We need to be strategic about finding ways to get the word out.”
Read the full AAOS Now report on the discussion about healthcare reform.
Read other coverage on AAOS:
– AAOS Names New Leaders for 2011
– AAOS: 3 Points on Orthopedic Surgeon Risk Management and Prevention
– AAOS: Guideline and Recommendations on Rotator Cuff Repair
