2009-09-18
During
a September 17 conference call with physicians, White House staff strongly
reaffirmed the Obama Administration's support for fixing the Sustainable Growth
Rate formula as part of any health reform that is enacted. The
White House also reiterated the health reform goals President Obama outlined in
his September
9 speech to Congress: ensuring the current system remains
secure and stable for those who already have insurance coverage and are happy
with it; making insurance coverage affordable and accessible to those who need
it; and reducing unnecessary costs and waste in the current system.
With
the introduction of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-MT) health
reform proposal on September 16, the White House noted that although reform will not solve
every problem in the health-care system, significant reform is a positive and meaningful
step forward. In addition, Congress is closer to enacting reform now than it
has been during the last four decades. Telling physicians
that serving patients is one of the most critical jobs in America and that the
reform efforts being sought will allow them to focus more of their time on
patient care, the White House asked physicians to not only support reform but
also to help in conveying the message to their patients and the public that
health reform will establish health-care security and stability for all
Americans.
Finally,
reminding physicians that medical liability reform was also a component of the
President’s health reform efforts, the White House also used the call as an
opportunity to inform physicians about a new demonstration
project the Department of Health and Human Service will be
launching on malpractice reform. This is an effort by the Administration
“to put patient safety first and let doctors focus on practicing medicine,” and
will support grants to states and health systems for implementation and
evaluation of evidence-based patient safety and medical liability
demonstrations.
Physicians can visit www.healthreform.gov for information from the White House on
health-care reform. Additional
information from ASH on health
reform is also available.
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