AAO-HNS urges Congress to pass meaningful healthcare reform

The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the nation’s largest organization representing ear, nose, and throat surgeons, urges Congress to address several critical issues in the pending healthcare reform legislation before a final vote is held.

“As a physician, I believe that any final healthcare reform package should be built on a solid foundation and in the best interest of our patients”

The AAO-HNS fully recognizes and supports the need for substantive reforms to our nation’s healthcare delivery system. However, the current bill, H.R. 3590, which the AAO-HNS opposed in December 2009, and reconciliation language under discussion in the House, still fail to address several crucial components for quality healthcare reform:

• The broken Medicare physician payment system – no true healthcare reform can be achieved without ensuring the solvency of the Medicare system, especially regarding physician payment;
• Substantive medical liability reform; and
• Concerns regarding the creation of an Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that inappropriately strips Congress of its authority over Medicare payment policy.

“As a physician, I believe that any final healthcare reform package should be built on a solid foundation and in the best interest of our patients,” said AAO-HNS President Ronald B. Kuppersmith, MD, MBA. “Unfortunately, the current legislation being considered by Congress needs critical revisions in order to have the impact that is so badly needed on our nation’s healthcare system.”

“Although the AAO-HNS is opposed to H.R. 3590 as it is currently written, we remain committed to the passage of meaningful and comprehensive healthcare reform,” said Kuppersmith.