Dr. Michael Gross: A challenging issue that periodically comes up is a change in Medicare reimbursement. Recently there was a federal consideration of making a 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement for the physicians fees. If this would have gone through, which ultimately it may, it seems like this would have negative affect not only on physicians, but also the Medicare patient population. Already dignified institutions like the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville have opted out of Medicare assignment because it’s difficult to deliver the quality of care they do at the present Medicare reimbursement rates. What would happen if those rates were cut another 21 percent? I certainly don’t know the answer but I pray that these questions are part of the considerations in making any decision for further cuts.
Within the medical community there historically has been and continues to be jealousy between surgical and medical practices. These need to continue to be addressed as all physicians commit to patient care. Opportunities to join together as physicians exist and can be expanded with the healthcare reform allowing many of these opportunities to be developed over time. The focus will be to allow physicians to reassume the dominant role in patient care.
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