Letter to Virginia's congressional delegation

29 July 2009

On behalf of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV), I write to express our comments on the current activities and debate regarding federal health care reform. MSV is pleased to see that the conversation on health care services, coverage, access, quality, and finance has risen to such prominence. We encourage continued discussion of the complex and long-standing problems faced by patients and physicians in order to ensure that whatever reforms are enacted make available to patients enhanced access to quality health care services and health care coverage; and for physicians, a sustainable model for continued practice viability and the provision of quality medical care to our patients.

Understanding that the status quo in health care is no longer an acceptable proposition, the MSV board of directors acknowledges that what may replace the current system raises justifiable concern and anxiety among our physician membership. We have received comments from many of our members, expressing both positive and negative views on the current direction of health care reform. We recognize that while much work has been done, there is much more left to do in both policy development and the legislative process. The MSV board of directors believes it is critical that our Congressional delegation is aware of our perspectives and opinions so that we can engage in a dialogue with our representatives as the debate continues.

In considering the current national legislative proposals, including HR 3200, the MSV board of directors identified several components of these proposals that are consistent with existing MSV policy. Some positives for physicians and patients include the extension of health insurance coverage to our uninsured and underinsured patients and the provision of a permanent fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), which will keep our practices economically viable by eliminating $230 billion in scheduled Medicare payment cuts to physicians who serve the elderly and the disabled. Also consistent with MSV policy are the enhanced levels of regulatory oversight for health plans which increase transparency, expand available information to enrollees and eliminate pre-existing condition requirements. Other favorable provisions include funding for a pilot for the patient-centered medical home model and increased Medicare funding for primary care.

Though we are encouraged by these steps, we are concerned with several significant deficiencies thus far in the proposed legislation; including the absence of liability reforms; the details, reimbursement and funding mechanisms for the proposed public plan; lack of physician anti-trust protection; scope of practice protections and regulations related to physician ownership of hospitals.

We recognize that the legislative process will continue to evolve and that there is progress yet to be made. MSV will be communicating with its membership both the progress and the process of the legislative efforts on health reform. As the various bills move forward, we will continue to communicate with each of you in the Virginia delegation to ensure that the ultimately enacted reforms retain for Virginia physicians the ability to provide accessible and high quality care to their patients. We also urge you during your upcoming August recess to meet with your physician constituents to understand more fully their views on national health care reform.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Eppes Jr., MD
President