We have the luxury (or course) of speaking to doctors every day from all over the country and hearing from our inside contacts in the industry. We have heard every conceivable reaction to healthcare reform and what does it all mean. Surveys show that there are a growing number of doctors against healthcare reform as it now stands. Many ask, “Healthcare reform, what is the status? Here’s what we believe will be the effects on doctors no matter what legislation gets passed.
#6 The cost of covering 45 million uninsured people will be financed on the backs of small business owners and doctors. Unfortunately doctors fall into both categories. How can you insure 45 million new people and save money at the same time? NOT going to happen.
#5 Doctors’ fees will be cut. Medicare is broke and we will be adding millions of new insured. Where will the money come from? Doctors!
#4 Doctors will be mandated to implement requirements to cut waste. It won’t work. Yes, there’s loads of waste to cut out, but it’s been there for 30 years. Medicare has tried and insurance companies have tried. Do you think the government knows how to cut waste???
#3 Business owners will remain the primary way that people receive their insurance. Doctors are business owners. It makes no sense but that’s the way it’s been for 40 years. Plan on it.
#2 Your taxes will go up! It’s a triple whammy for doctors…increased employee benefit costs, more taxes, lower fees. You call this “Reform”?
#1 More regulation for doctors. 1000 pages of new legislation…many of which is targeted toward doctors and small business. More penalties for non-compliance. Thousands of new regulators have already been hired (It’s the new job creation stimulus plan!)
It will be interesting to see how things turn out. For now, we will help you stay tuned in and cut through the haze of confusion.
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