AMCNO Health Care Reform Survey responses sent to Congressional and State Leaders

The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland & Northern Ohio (AMCNO) health care reform survey was conducted over a two week period in September 2009. It should be noted that this survey did not contain a question regarding the issue of tort reform. This is due to the fact that the AMCNO did not believe that there was a need to address this question since we already have information from our membership in this regard. The AMCNO already has a strong stance on this issue and we believe that there is a real need for additional tort reform proposals both at the state and federal levels. In addition, there is verifiable data that physicians in the Northern Ohio community are still experiencing high medical liability rates and excessive claim filings and this issue must be addressed in any health care reform legislation under review at this time.

This survey was conducted to obtain a snapshot of the opinions of practicing physicians in the Northern Ohio area with regard to health care reform. Questions revolved around the type of insurance options to consider, Medicare and Medicaid participation decisions, utilization issues and insurance costs. Results of the survey have been sent to Northern Ohio Congressional leaders, the Governor, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and to Ohio legislative leadership.