Government
AMA, AHIP run competing ads on Medicare physician pay cut
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 21, 2008
The American Medical Association and America's Health Insurance Plans flooded the airwaves in the first week of July arguing opposite sides on legislation that would reverse the 10.6% physician pay cut that went into effect July 1. The AMA ran television and radio advertisements in six states where Republican senators helped block a House-passed measure from moving to a final Senate vote late last month. The spots urged listeners to call lawmakers to reconsider their votes when Congress revisits the issue.
AHIP ran a TV ad urging lawmakers not to approve the House measure, which would pay for the physician pay provision, in part, by slashing payments to Medicare private health plans.
The organization noted that the last time Congress cut the Medicare Advantage program, millions of seniors lost access to their private plans.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/07/21/gvbf0721.htm.
