Comments on: MedPAC’s Latest Bad Idea: Forcing Doctors to Join ACOs

By: Robert Odell

Robert Odell — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 16:32:27 +0000

I’m curious
Does CMS penalize physicians who do not join an ACO?

By: Johann Odermann

Johann Odermann — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:50:42 +0000

I would think that physicians would balk not only at the intricacies of CMS payment rules but also at the broader impact – for the privilege of seeing Medicare patients, not only are payment amounts dictated, but so too is the practice environment – ACO. Then again I recall being somewhat stunned when, during the run-up to Medicare PartD, the head of PhRMA (who was at the time the CEO of JNJ), stated he thought Part D was a good thing for manufacturers.

Once the camel has his nose under the tent . . . it’s only a matter of time before he is spitting in your bean curd.

By: Johann Odermann

Johann Odermann — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:43:37 +0000

In reply to William Palmer MD.

Agreed.

It seems to me as if medical schools are delivering graduates more concerned, relative to historical trends, with the business of medicine than of practicing medicine and seeing, treating, and advocating for patients health and healthcare.

As far as a crisis is concerned – laser like focus on drug prices is creating somewhat of a contrived crisis when a more thorough review of the US Healthcare System would reveal that systemic problems exist largely due to market response to ill conceived, short-sighted, piecemeal government legislation and bureaucratic (and sometimes legal) interpretation and guidance regarding the contents of the Federal Register.

By: William Palmer MD

William Palmer MD — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 04:48:53 +0000

Kip, thanks for your fine education. We appreciate it. For things to change in health care, we might be in the sorry state where we need funerals. The docs are also changing, as medicak schools deliver people who are meek, accepting and peaceful. No one in the trenches hardly discusses what is going on in Washington DC. We have given up. What happens next, as entropy increases, is that we are going to see professionals who miss diagnoses, can’t keep up with the science, and who are no longer excited and fighting for their patients. I ask my colleagues: “What is a group purchasing organization and why are they sending our CEO kickback money? “ No reply.

The policy folks will get the health care they deserve. I’m afraid we need a crisis that we shan’t waste this next and last time.