Thursday, July 23, 2009
Think About It
We have seen and heard the debate over health care reform go back and forth for many days, and it seems that the latest episode says we are not going to reach a decision before the August recess of Congress. That is good because nothing of this import should be entered into quickly and without due deliberation.
It is no secret this writer is not in favor of the legislation that is currently being proposed. Consider the consequences based on the realities that currently exist. A growing number of clinical practices are not accepting new patients for Medicare and Medicaid due to the amount of reimbursement they receive for their services. Instead of higher reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid, we want to cut those rates to fund a new system where clinical practices will not be reimbursed at acceptable rates. We are not “reforming” health care; we are just adding more of the same and still leaving 36 million uninsured.
With the Senate not ready to pass any legislation until after the recess, this is the time to talk with your Congressmen and Senators to find out what is going on – really; and to let them know how you feel about it – really.
Understand this much about the current legislation – if passed, then any small business with an excess of 25 employees that does not provide health care insurance for all employees, will face an additional $19,500.00 in new taxes.[1] Seven out of every ten people employed in this country work for small business. So think about this and think about the $1 trillion price tag on top of the $1 trillion dollar national debt; and then talk with your Senators and Congressmen.
