North Carolina Seeks Signatures in the Medicare Meltdown Petition Drive
April 12th, 2010 by Kristen Shipherd
All fifty states and more than 12 specialty societies are now taking part in the Medicare Meltdown Petition Drive, led by the Texas Medical Association. The goal is to gather as many signatures as possible on a petition that calls for a permanent fix to the formula used to derive Medicare physician reimbursement fees. Congress is expected to take up the issue when it returns from the Easter recess this week.
“We want lots of signatures from North Carolina,” says NCMS Executive Vice President and CEO Robert Seligson. “The 21.9% cut in Medicare physician fees that took effect on April 1 will only harm access to quality health care for millions of our seniors. Congress knows about this problem and needs to act immediately to ensure our seniors get the care they need.”
Physicians are urged to download the flyer to tell their patients about why their signatures are so important. Where possible, you may want to set up a computer in your practice that allows patients to sign the petition online.
Whatever you do, time is of the essence, so please act now! It’s time to stop the Medicare Meltdown!!
April 8th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
It’s time to act responsibly and stop “passing the buck” on Medicare SGR. How can we plan, invest in useful equipment, etc when a 21% pay cut could come any day? Make a decision and fix this today. Thanks.
April 12th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
It’s time to act responsibly and stop “passing the buck” on Medicare SGR. How can we plan, invest in useful equipment, etc when a 21% pay cut could come any day? Make a decision and fix this today. Thanks.
April 12th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Please remmber who you work for. We as Americans know( as you do) that what you are doing is wrong. If something isn’t done now to restore rightful payments to our physians now ,this law will be repealed and you will be replaced. Many who voted Democratic in the last election have all ready changed parties. Stand up for what is right!!!!!!
April 12th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Please stop this Medicare Meltdown.THANKS
April 12th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
put a stop to this melt down THANKS
April 13th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Stop passing the buck on Medicare SGR
April 14th, 2010 at 7:53 am
I support you 100% on this matter. This change must be stopped now !
Gloria McAlister
April 15th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
As a neurologist in an economically challenged part of NC where most of my patients have serious and chronic neurological diseases (Parkinsonism, Multiple Sclerosis, refractory epilepsy, dementia, ALS and severe peripheral neuropathies) 60% of my patients are Medicare and Medicaid. Any decrease in Medicare physician reimbursement will make it very difficult for me to provide quality care. This will only hurt patients and will force me to limit access to Medicare patients. Stop the change NOW!!
April 16th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Stop the thieves who are stealing medicare funds, and leave the legitimate payments to medical professional when they submit legitimate claims.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Congress-please stop the Medicare meltdown. I like choosing my own doctors. OES
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:50 am
Disagree with this
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:52 am
Please stop the Medicare Meltdown
April 25th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I am in many practices each year. I have found that practice expenses are increasing, EHR expense is more than a purchase price it is an ongoing expenses and the cost of all supplies, electricity, telephone, rent and taxes increases each year. Practices are opening earlier and closing later to meet the needs of their patients. In rural areas there is limited funds to recruit physicians as older physicians are retiring. I wouder if any one has taken a day to go to small, medium, and large practices – I believe you would be surprised how hard it is for physicians to “make ends meet” now and will be impossible if the Medicare Meltdown continues.
April 28th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Agree