LETTER: Medicare system needs permanent fix

Medicare cuts

The Nebraska Medical Association would like to extend its thanks and sincere praise to Senator Ben Nelson and Congressmen Jeff Fortenberry and Lee Terry for voting to override the president's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.

Their action prevented a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement to physicians across the state. Nebraska physicians stood to lose $70 million for the care of seniors and as a direct result, may have been forced to limit the number of Medicare patients they see. In a recent American Medical Association survey, 60 percent of physicians said they would limit the number of new Medicare patients they treat and 40 percent would have reduced the number of Medicare patients they currently see if the cuts took place.

We urge our Nebraska delegation, including Senator Chuck Hagel and Congressman Adrian Smith who both voted against the bill, to stay vigilant. Years of failure to correct a flawed formula in calculation of physician payment is leading to a crisis of access. Nebraska physicians have been swallowing hard and taking the cuts; but we need our representatives to join us in taking a stand on this issue to prevent future cuts.

We need a permanent fix to the Medicare system so that Nebraska physicians can continue to provide for the senior population in our state.

Mike McGahan, MD

Board Member Nebraska Medical Association

2717 Lakewood Dr.