AMCNO Physician Leaders Participate in Future of Health Care Reform Event

More than 80 physicians, practice administrators and medical association staff joined state lawmakers representing the Northern Ohio region to discuss the future of health care reform in Ohio as well as the impact that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) may have on physicians, hospitals and group practices. The forum which was held at the University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center and co-sponsored by the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland & Northern Ohio (AMCNO), provided a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from physicians and legislators from around Northern Ohio how health care reform could influence the practice of medicine. 

The forum was held in conjunction with the Ohio State Medical Association, University Hospitals and MetroHealth. The physician panel was moderated by the AMCNO President, Dr. Laura David and was comprised of physicians from across the Northern Ohio region, including AMCNO members Drs. John Bastulli, Michael Nochomovitz and James Ulchaker. Leaders from the Democratic and Republican Caucuses were also on hand to contribute to the legislative panel discussion. 

“With a new legislative year ahead, and the evolution of the Affordable Care Act--- insurance mandates, the implementation of electronic medical records, and the need for more accessible primary care-- we all realize that the big word for all of us is change,” said Dr. Laura David, AMCNO President. “Now more than ever we as physicians need to know the impact of the issues, and speak with the skill and the knowledge of the professionals that we are to assure that the very best of health care remains here in Ohio and that our medical expertise continues to climb and be the center of what we have to offer to our citizens.” 

Legislators participating in the forum noted that a major issue for Ohio in the coming year will be balancing the budget and budget issues will definitely be the main focus of the state legislature for the first half of 2011. The legislators agreed that Medicaid will be at the forefront of the budget discussion since it is such a complex program, noting that they fully understand that Medicaid reimbursement is important to physicians and hospitals and they will look to the physician associations for input on this issue going forward. The legislators also briefly discussed the impact of the federal reform bill on Ohio – specific to the amount of money provided to implement the program and the potential cost of the program – and how this could impact Ohioans. It was noted that the Ohio Caucus will look to leadership from the Attorney General and the newly elected Governor to determine whether or not Ohio would join other states on opposing mandates included in the federal bill. 

Physicians participating on the panel provided their comments with regard to the Ohio budget and the federal health care reform bill citing concerns with the hospital franchise fee, the predicted increase in the Medicaid patient load coupled with very low Medicaid reimbursement rates, and continuing concerns with the medical malpractice climate in Northern Ohio. Panel members also mentioned the intent to set up accountable care organizations and how this could impact physicians and their practice, the continuing problems with the Medicare payment model, as well as the cost of implementing electronic health records. 

Overall, the participants agreed that although there have been and will continue to be attempts to repeal the health care reform act – health care reform is likely here to stay and physicians and hospitals will have to continue to stay focused on the issues as the health care reform debate continues at both the Ohio legislature and in Congress. 

Dr. David urged members of the audience to talk to legislators about their concerns. She also noted that in this complex time when physicians cannot possibly know all there is to know about new developments in legislation and economics it is more important than ever to join and participate in organizations such as the AMCNO. 

The AMCNO has and will continue to offer opportunities for physicians members to meet with area legislators. Watch for more information on our upcoming legislative meetings in 2011.