Freedom Line Blog

As the Senate continues to debate the future of health care in America, the California Medical Association handed the White House a blow today when it announced that it would oppose the current health care bill.

The California Medical Association has more than 35,000 physicians, the second largest state-based group in the nation.   Though the American Medical Association (AMA) is still supportive of the House version of “reform,” state medical associations in Texas, Florida and Georgia have all joined to oppose a government takeover of health care.

Their main objection is reimbursement rates under Medicare.  The Senate bill is set to slash physician reimbursement under Medicare by 40%, and as a result, most doctors would simply refuse to take Medicare patients.

As Dr. Dev GnanaDev noted, “If doctors can’t see you, the only choice you have is the emergency room, which is a very bad way to get healthcare.”

Let’s hope the AMA joins with California doctors to oppose the Senate bill.