Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3590, the Senate’s health system reform bill, and H.R. 4872, a reconciliation bill that modifies the original Senate language. H.R. 3590 passed by a 219-212 vote. All House Republicans and 34 Democrats voted against the bill.
The original Senate bill, H.R. 3590 will now go to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law. The reconciliation bill, H.R. 4872, must be debated by the Senate and could be heard as early as Tuesday.
The NCMS has worked diligently to educate our Congressional delegation about health care delivery and how this legislation will impact the needs of our patients. These discussions continued over the weekend as the NCMS Board of Directors met and sent a letter to our U.S. House Members, going on record to oppose the legislation in its current form. Personal phone calls were also made to legislators throughout the weekend.
Click here to read the letter sent by the NCMS Board of Directors asking that this legislation be amended to reflect the following:
- A permanent repeal of Medicare’s flawed physician payment formula.
- Meaningful medical liability reform.
- Physicians and patient rights to privately contract without penalties.
- Elimination of penalties for physicians who do not successfully participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).
- Elimination of the proposed Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).
- Accountable Care Organizations and similar pilot programs must be physician-directed.
- Prevent barriers against new physician-owned hospitals.
Click here to see a comparison of the Senate HSR Bill (H.R. 3590) and the Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 4872) prepared by NCMS.
Watch this blog and check the NCMS Health Reform Page for more information.
