Congress has been playing games with physicians for years always threatening to allow draconian cuts in Medicare reimbursement only to come in at the last minute and “save” physicians by cancelling the devastating cuts (while effectively negating any chance of meaningful and needed increases in reimbursement). Meanwhile the cost of practicing continues to increase due to ever increasing regulation. Physicians understand that all segments of the economy are hurting but at some point they will be losing money seeing Medicare patients. A reasonable increase in reimbursement is needed. However this correction of the Medicare payment system and Medical liability reform should not be used as bribes for physician support of the government sponsored healthcare program. That is politics at it’s worst.

How does this effect the patient? It will be harder for them to find doctors that will accept new Medicare patients. A 2008 survey by the Texas Medical Association found that while 58 percent of the state’s doctors took new Medicare patients, only 38 percent of primary care doctors did.