Health care reform will have negative effect on cardiology patients, practices: American cardiologists

American cardiologists believe that recently passed health care reform will have a negative effect on both their cardiology patients and their practices, according to a new survey.

The survey of more than 225 cardiologists and cardiology professionals, conducted in late March by MedAxiom, revealed that 71 percent of those who answered the survey believe the newly-enacted legislation will hurt their ability to serve their patients.  81 percent said they believe the law will hurt their overall practice, with 83 percent predicting that their revenue will decrease.  The numbers are statistically significant, because 68 percent said they were opposed to the health care reform bill prior to its passage by Congress.

"The passage of this legislation adds the final nail to the coffin. Access will be reduced drastically over the next several years and patient outcomes will certainly suffer," said one survey respondent, echoing a sentiment expressed by several others.  Other comments include:

• "We will be unable to meet the influx of patients into the system. We already are unable to meet primary care needs. There has never in the history of the country been a government program that hasn't far exceeded its costs. There is no reason to think this one will not do the same. The end result will be the government will look to come back and look to cut medical spending somewhere else, i.e. Medicare."
• "Although we are a for-profit heart institute, our organization has always cared for Medicaid, Medicare, and uninsured patients. Our organization has absorbed the costs associated with caring for these patients without coercion or government intervention because of the values of our organization. We have done this while many others in our geographic region have denied such patients access. The healthcare reform bill will not make it easier to provide care nor will it improve real access or funding. It will, in fact, reduce funding in the outpatient setting (the least expensive place to receive medical care), increase the cost of supplies to provide cardiology care and further increase bureaucracy."
• "In the short run, there will be difficulty and change (which no one likes), but it in the long run it is a step in the right direction away from the shell game we've all been playing for years."
• "I think there are some good provisions in the bill. Who can argue against language that protects people from pre-existing conditions, etc.  However, the bill overall does very little to change the fundamental flaw in our healthcare system (and actually exacerbates it) in regards to giving little if any incentive for people to take care of themselves and reduce the incidence of chronic disease via positive lifestyle changes. I could go on and on about other flawed components, but it totally missed the mark in terms of reforming 'health.'"

The MedAxiom survey also found that a majority (55 percent) believe their patient loads will increase under the new law, with 79 percent of those responding saying the legislation will be detrimental to the field of cardiology.

"The clear majority of our members have significant concerns about the impact that health care reform will have on their ability to provide a superior level of service to their patients, especially at the very time that more Americans than ever require the specialized care that cardiologists deliver," said Patrick White, MedAxiom's President.  "While they may harbor misgivings, they are also committed to making this work to the best of their ability."