NYS Med Society Comments on Defeat of Medicare Bill

• by Medical Society of the State of New York

"The physicians of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), indeed, all physicians in New York State, are shocked by yesterday's failure of the United States Senate to vote on legislation to prevent a 10.6% Medicare physician reimbursement cut that is scheduled to go into effect July 1, just three days from now. The severe implications to patient care access in New York cannot be overstated. The House overwhelmingly passed legislation this week to prevent the cut. The US Senate, however, was unable to vote on the legislation due to the opposition of most Senate Republicans.

We appreciate the efforts of the New York Congressional delegation, particularly Ways and Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel and Senator Charles Schumer, to advance and support legislation to prevent the cut. However, with Congress now in recess until July 7, the bottom line is that this disastrous cut is going to be implemented.

At the same time as these Medicare cuts move forward, physicians are bracing themselves for a major increase in the already exorbitant and unaffordable cost of medical liability insurance in New York State for the policy year beginning July 1. This is the direct result of the State Legislature's departure from Albany without taking any action whatsoever to address the liability problem. It is important to know that this increase would follow the 14% increase imposed last year, and the 55-80% increase levied cumulatively over the last five years.

And thus, a "perfect storm" for a health care system tragedy has been created.

For many, many physicians, this is the last straw. They simply will not be able to afford to continue providing care to patients.

We urge the New York State Legislature to return to Albany - and the United States Congress to return to Washington - at once to address these converging problems. If our elected leaders fail to act, patient access to health care in New York State will be devastated."

Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York represents physicians, residents and medical students.