Issues
Every D4PC member supports the mission to pursue long overdue health insurance reform. It is true that access to affordable health insurance evades more and more Americans every year and we have a dysfunctional and overly bureaucratic system of paying for our medical care. It is also true, the American healthcare system ranks number one in "responsiveness", is the undisputed world leader in medical technology and innovation and has the best patient outcomes in a variety of disease categories.
As practicing physicians, we have a unique perspective and understanding of the many critical issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve affordable, sustainable and responsible health insurance reform. Please use this page as a resource for learning more on the the many critical areas of healthcare reform.
Policy Positions of Docs4PatientCare
The Physicians Prescription for Health Care Reform
Our Prescription was delivered to the House of Representatives as a cover letter to HR2, the bill that repealed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Law.
We urge all physicians to read the Prescription carefully. If you agree with these proposals we recommend that you forward the Prescription to your Representative and Senators using this letter or compose a personal letter with the Prescription attached.
Policy on Medical Information Technology (HITECH)
Read our statement concerning this evolving technology and the federal government's plan to expand its role in our healthcare system.
Policy on Health Insurance
Read our policy statement concerning health insurance.
Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB)
The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), established by Sections 3403 and 10320 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is charged with developing proposals to “reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending without effecting coverage or quality”.
First impressions of the statutes portray this new IPAB entity as an “advisory” board whose main task is to develop “proposals” and “advisory reports” which will be “considered” for the purpose of cost reduction. In reality, it is an all powerful bureaucracy, virtually free of congressional oversight and judicial review. The cost cutting recommendations which the IPAB would propose, will automatically be implemented by the authority of the Secretary of the HHS and will extend to all "insurers" and their clients, not just Medicare beneficiaries.
Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
The Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a major component of the new healthcare law. Disguised as a means to achieve affordable healthcare "reform", this entity represents the federal government's latest attempt to control the entire American healthcare system.
ACOs: Proposed Rules Meet With Criticism
D4PC Member Publications
To read articles by Docs4PatientCare members, please click here.
