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In reply to the discussion: I had an MRI today... [View all]GitRDun
(1,846 posts)24. Here is just one small issue from today...
Cape Cod Times
By Cynthia Mccormick
November 14, 2008
New state regulations specify that physician-owned day surgery centers will undergo the same review process as hospitals seeking to expand their services.
Regulations passed this week by the state's Public Health Council say physician-run surgery centers have to prove their services won't duplicate or threaten existing programs.
A Cape Cod Healthcare official said that's a good thing, but a hospital lobbyist said the new regulations may be too late to help Cape Cod hospitals competing against lower-cost physician-owned surgery centers.
"These tighter regulations make sense," said David Reilly, spokesman for Cape Cod Healthcare, the parent company of Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals. "We're in favor of anything that would level the playing field."
The new regulations say physician-run surgery centers have to meet the same guidelines as hospitals, which are required to be open 24 hours a day and cannot deny care based on inability to pay, Reilly said.
Officials at Cape Cod Healthcare have been saying that ambulatory surgery centers run by physicians have siphoned off patients, cut into hospital profits and contributed to the fiscal crisis that led the organization to lay off 169 employees this summer.
By Cynthia Mccormick
November 14, 2008
New state regulations specify that physician-owned day surgery centers will undergo the same review process as hospitals seeking to expand their services.
Regulations passed this week by the state's Public Health Council say physician-run surgery centers have to prove their services won't duplicate or threaten existing programs.
A Cape Cod Healthcare official said that's a good thing, but a hospital lobbyist said the new regulations may be too late to help Cape Cod hospitals competing against lower-cost physician-owned surgery centers.
"These tighter regulations make sense," said David Reilly, spokesman for Cape Cod Healthcare, the parent company of Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals. "We're in favor of anything that would level the playing field."
The new regulations say physician-run surgery centers have to meet the same guidelines as hospitals, which are required to be open 24 hours a day and cannot deny care based on inability to pay, Reilly said.
Officials at Cape Cod Healthcare have been saying that ambulatory surgery centers run by physicians have siphoned off patients, cut into hospital profits and contributed to the fiscal crisis that led the organization to lay off 169 employees this summer.
So outpatient is cheaper, but hospitals fight like crazy to keep these surgery centers from growing in their areas because it eats into there profits. The politicians are helping the hospitals (thanks to the lobbyists) by including duplication regs, EVEN THO hospital based costs are higher!
All of these healthcare issues involve businesses fighting for their very survival in a quickly changing world. We need serious politicians who are not on the take to work through these issues, or it is going to get VERY PAINFUL for all of us. A quick read of this article tells us exactly why it is so damned hard to lower costs.
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You have just described the long term issue we face in medicine from a cost perspective
GitRDun
Nov 2012
#1
As I do about mine....in their forties...not to mention my grandchildren ...
CaliforniaPeggy
Nov 2012
#5
I also worry that there are fewer physicians going into Family Practice.
likesmountains 52
Nov 2012
#3
no, I mean an MRI is a zillion dollars for those without insurance. Glad you have medicare.
Liberal_in_LA
Nov 2012
#17
true. I had blood drawn in prep for surgery. Cost on bill was $2000. Insurance knocked that WAAAY
Liberal_in_LA
Nov 2012
#25
My husband has been keeping track of this, and he said it's true about Medicare.
CaliforniaPeggy
Nov 2012
#13
There are several doctors in our area (IN) who do not accept new Medicare patients (or Medicaid).
anneboleyn
Nov 2012
#37
I'm concerned, too. I'm in my late 50's. Health care cost is the single biggest issue facing me
Honeycombe8
Nov 2012
#12
Paul Ryan wants you to have a $7k voucher, which you'll use to purchase awesome insurance
Liberal_in_LA
Nov 2012
#26
I go to Dr's that work in the hospital system where they treated me as a "charity case"
NightWatcher
Nov 2012
#33
fortunately,in 2013-2014 reimbursement for Family Practice docs will increase.
w8liftinglady
Nov 2012
#39