Medicare needs a risk fix; rate-setting flaws likely to plague GOP's reform plans

Article Abstract:

The Republican Party plans to slow Medicare spending increases by cutting growth in payments to hospitals and physicians and raising copayments by beneficiaries. Allotting payments to health plans for each patient would require adjustments for risk according to factors including sex, age and health prognosis. Medicare payments to some health maintenance organizations have exceeded costs, perhaps because these plans attract healthier members. Also, Medicare plans to test health care benefits for retirees who remain in company plans.

Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers, Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO Medical Centers, Hospital and medical service plans, Medical Care Insurance, Administration of Public Health Programs, Health Programs, Health aspects, Analysis, Planning, Finance, Social policy, Public health, Health insurance, Risk factors (Health), Republican Party (United States), Health care reform, Retirees

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Physicians identify access as medicine's most urgent issue

Article Abstract:

An American Medical Association (AMA) survey found that access to health care is the most important issue among the 1,010 physicians who were polled. The result marked the first time that access rated as the chief concern. The survey revealed that 33% of doctors worry most about access, while 20% feel that cost of care is most important. A survey of the public ranked cost as the top concern. Survey regarding AMA initiatives also are discussed.

Health Care, Health Care and Social Assistance, Medical care, Public opinion

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Red tape doctors' top complaint in Medicare reform

Article Abstract:

Paperwork and administrative problems top the list of what physicians dislike most about Medicare's new payment system. Sixty-nine percent mentioned paperwork, and there is some evidence that doctors may be willing to accept lower fees in exchange for easier administrative upkeep. The high cost of practice was cited by 43% of physicians polled, and 40% disliked the reimbursement levels. Few doctors said they had profited from the new system.

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