Doctors are Sick Over Congressional Inaction

The Florida Medical Association is urging the state's congressional delegation to take "decisive action" on Medicare now, or face the consequences later.

Floridas elected officials in Washington, D.C. represent the state with more Medicare beneficiaries than any other state in the nation, said Dr. James B. Dolan.

They face a simple choice: either keep their promise and pay for seniors health care and doctors bills, or transform the Medicare system into one that is economically sustainable. So far, theyve picked none of the above.'"

The FMA board of governors urged Congress to permanently repeal the "fatally flawed formula" that determines how much physicians will be reimbursed for caring for Medicare patients. As it stands, Medicare and Tricare (military) payments are scheduled to be reduced by 21 percent.

The FMA also urged Congress to let seniors keep their Medicare benefits when they privately contract.

If the federal government is unable to pay the full cost of doctors bills for seniors, it should not penalize seniors when they choose to pay the part that Congress will not, Dolan said.

The American Medical Association -- which designated Florida one of 20 access hot spots, where patients already have trouble finding a physician -- blasted Congress in full-page advertisements in national newspapers today.

"With access to health care for seniors and military families hanging in the balance, what did the U.S. Senate do? They took a vacation," the ad stated.

The FMA concluded by reminding Congress of Washington's Medicare pledge to Americans: "If you hand over a portion of every paycheck to pay for Medicare, it will be saved. Now, that money is gone, and Medicare faces a $38 trillion unfunded liability."