US Healthcare Reform:Most of the Physicians Oppose it

Healthcare reform is a highly debated topic these days, due to new legislation passed by President Obama late last year. Although the American public seems to be divided in their stance on the reform act, the now majority Republican-controlled House is not its only critic- a recent study cites that many physicians themselves are actually opposed to the reform efforts. 

Among the major points made, physicians polled feel that reform calls for a greater number of healthcare workers, many of whom are not required to earn doctorate-level healthcare degrees like nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

The report recently released by Thomson Reuters and HCPlexus details the results of a national survey which polled nearly 3,000 U.S. physicians on the issue of healthcare reform. The overall consensus can be generalized to say that a majority of physicians feel "frustration and dismay in a time of change."

Of the physicians polled,

65% believe that U.S. healthcare will deteriorate with five years
18% believe it will improve
17% believe it will stay the same

If the healthcare reform act passed by President Obama remains in legislation, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), an estimated 32 million currently uninsured Americans will have will access to healthcare. Physicians participating in the survey report concern over who will treat these new patients. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants will likely begin seeing and treating nearly as many patients as physicians themselves.

According to the report, "physicians overall have a clear frustration with the non-physician providers' compensation, which is comparable to primary care physicians, citing that nurse practitioners and physician assistants are not as well-trained or as educated."

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants do have an education above a bachelor's degree, but are not required to have earned their doctorate from a medical school like a physician. Healthcare degrees of all levels are in high-demand in response to reform efforts, which will require greater numbers of healthcare workers overall, in both an administrative and clinical capacity. Online programs offering advanced healthcare degrees are growing in popularity as a method for working healthcare professionals to earn the additional credentials necessary to qualify for higher-level positions.

Results of the study also claim that a majority of physicians have a similarly cynical view on how healthcare reform will affect patients. Results conclude that:

58% feel the legislation will negatively affect patients
27% feel the effect will be positive

Survey results distinguished responses among physicians of different medical practices, for example, as primary care physicians, or psychiatrists. Of all participating groups, pediatricians and psychiatrists were the most optimistic about the future of healthcare. On the other hand, dermatologists were found to have the most negative outlook; not a single dermatologist polled reported a belief that current healthcare reform efforts would have a positive effect on physicians.

Health care reform,Five Most Important facts.

It's time to tune out the misinformation mission when it comes to health care reform. The political battle is over and President Obama and the Democratic party won. Health care reform is now the law of the land. The important thing now is that all Americans become informed about what this actually means for them and that's what this article aims to do with these five facts.

Fact #1: More Medicare Benefits

A big part of the Republican party's fear campaign on this bill was that it would cut Medicare benefits for seniors (and of course there was the "death panel" lie but that's too ridiculous to even consider.) The truth is actually the opposite. Because of this bill people on Medicare will have access to new benefits.

There will be an immediate $250 rebate for those who hit the "Donut Hole" this year and beginning next year there will be a 50% discount on all name brands in the "Donut Hole." By 2020 it will be closed entirely.

But that's not the only benefit, another big one is that beginning next year there will be no more co-pays for any preventative care visits! This will enable seniors to go to the doctor without having to worry about what it costs them because it will be free.

The bill also "balances the books" for Medicare through at least 2026.

Fact #2: This Bill Cuts The Deficit

Not only is this bill paid for, it actually cuts the deficit. It cuts the deficit by 130 billion dollars over the next 10 years and most impressively it cuts it by 1.3 trillion dollars over the next 20 years.

Fact #3: It's The Biggest Tax Cut For Small Businesses In History

Yes. You read that correctly. Available immediately will be new tax credits which will pay up to 35% of the health insurance costs of employees. By 2014 that number will be up to 50%. This will be a huge tax cut for small businesses so when the Republicans are running against this bill they are running for a huge tax increase on small businesses.

Fact #4: Denying Coverage Due To "Pre-Existing Conditions" Is Made Illegal

Because of this bill it will be illegal for health insurance companies to deny coverage to children due to pre-existing conditions as of September (6 months after the bill became law.) In 2014 this law will go into place for adults too.

Prior to this bill, it was entirely legal for a health insurance company to deny coverage to a newborn baby with a "pre existing condition." When the Republicans are running for repeal they are running for making that legal again.

Fact #5: 32 Million More Americans Will Get Health Care Coverage Because Of This Bill

Those running for repeal are running to kick 32 million of our fellow Americans to the curb regardless of how sick they are. That is truly "Anti-American."


Health Care Reform may have been scary (due to Republican lies about it) to some people in the abstract, but in reality it will be a huge positive for the vast majority of Americans. The Republican party deserves to be held accountable for the lies they told about health care reform. They put their party ahead of the American people and that's unacceptable.

Health Care Reform-Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance

MEDICARE and MEDICAID are both like the backbone of the US health system.Both have there own benefits and drawbacks with respect to age limit.There has been much chatter and concern about the new health care laws. You yourself may be wondering how the Affordable Care act will affect you and your Medicare Benefits.
It will please you to know that the new law will not cut your Basic benefits. In fact, it will actually make some benefits better. The free annual wellness checkup is a good example of this. Starting 2011, your annual checkup and certain preventative screenings, like cancer and diabetes will be provided at no cost.

The new law will work towards better care when you do get sick by investing in testing ways to improve coordination between providers for patients with chronic conditions who see multiple providers.

What if you are hospitalized? Money talks and Hospitals will receive incentives to make sure that you get the education to take good care of yourself and the services you need in your community. This will help facilitate a successful return home. It will also help you avoid returning to the hospital.

What about drug coverage? Good news there as well. For those of us on multiple, costly prescription drugs, the Part D donut hole looms large. The law started affecting Medicare Part D in 2010 with the $250 rebate for those who went into the coverage gap on their drug plan. In 2011 you will receive a 50% discount on name brand drugs during the coverage gap.

Over the next nine years the donut hole will be closed little by little each year. By 2020 there will be no more coverage gap.

The law also addresses the issue of Medicare spending. Medicare spending is growing at a rate of 6.8% per year. The new law will not stop the growth but will slow it down over the next ten years to 5.5%. This sounds small but it is projected to save Medicare over 400 billion dollars over the next 10 years. How will this be accomplished?

Starting this year the law will reduce payment increases to providers such as hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies. These providers expect to see increased profit due to newly insured patients. Many have agreed to accept these payments. The law will also have an effect on Medicare funding of Advantage Plans. While the Advantage Plans initially were expected to save Medicare money, it turns out that these plans actually cost Medicare over $1,100 more per person than original medicare. Higher premiums paid by Medicare beneficiaries pay for this over payment. The new law will lower these payments over time to bring the costs more in line with original Medicare.

If you are one of the 25% of all seniors enrolled in these plans,the decreases in funding may affect you in several ways. You may find that your plan increases premiums, eliminates extra benefits like eye glasses. You may even find that your plan stops offering Medicare coverage entirely. You can rest assured however. The MA plans can not eliminate any of the benefits that Medicare gives, only the extra benefits can be affected and if you lose your plan you will have the right to switch to another plan or back to original Medicare. The new law will not cause you to lose your basic Medicare benefits.

New revenues are also expected, mostly from taxes assessed on tax payers with incomes of $200K and up. These new revenues combined with the savings are expected to reduce the deficit by $124 billion over the next 10 years and keep the Medicare Trust Fund viable for an additional nine years.

These are just a few of the highlights. A look at the upside of the Affordable Care Act.


Stephanie Coutavas is an Insurance Professional specializing in Senior Insurance Solutions and Medicare Insurance. Co- founder and Senior Broker at MedicareQuote4U.com-Common Sense Insurance Solutions Group. Stephanie decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper,correct information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."