TSA President's
Update
April 30, 2010
Previous Updates
To: All Texas Society of Anesthesiologists Members, Consultants, & Staff
Report from the 2010 ASA Legislative Conference
The ASA Legislative Conference was held in Washington D.C. from April 26-28, 2010. This annual meeting brings together anesthesiologists from all areas of the country to discuss legislative and political issues and gives participants a chance to meet face-to-face with their Senators and Representatives. Texas was particularly well represented with attendance by 32 anesthesiologists, including 2 resident physicians. The meeting featured presentations by Representatives Jon Kyle (R-AZ, Finance Committee and Republican Whip), Peter Roskam (R-IL, Ways and Means Committee), Peter Welch (D-VT, Energy and Commerce Committee), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), and Mike Ross (D-AR, Blue Dog Coalition and Energy and Commerce Committee). Along with remarks by Drs. Jane Fitch, Alex Hannenberg, Stanley Stead, and Professor Larry Sabato, Mr.Ron Szabat, Mr. Manuel Bonilla, Ms. Lisa Percy-Albany, and many others… well, let’s just say that it was a very active meeting. In addition, our Delegation proudly hosted a dinner honoring U.S. Representative Pete Olson (R-TX, District 22).
The ASA sets the agenda for the meeting and suggests the major topics for anesthesiologists to communicate to legislators. This year, the ASA chose to focus on three main issues:
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Ensure fair payment
The Medicare Sustained Growth Rate formula (SGR) was not addressed in the recent enactment of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA). PPACA also contains numerous new provisions, including the creation of an Independent Payment Advisory Board, which will have unprecedented power to further reduce Medicare physician payments in the future. In addition, Medicare payments for anesthesia services continue to be set at 33 cents on the dollar (relative to private plan rates), while all other Medicare physician services are being paid at approximately 80 percent.A bipartisan Congressional letter, currently in draft, will be sent to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius soon. This letter asks her to review Medicare payments for anesthesia services as possibly “mis-valued” and potentially undervalued, under the authority granted to the HHS Secretary under Section 1034 , the Misvalued Codes under Physician Fee Schedule of PPACA.
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Empower patients with more information
Patients deserve to have timely and accurate information about the qualifications and expertise of the health care providers who are taking care of them. The ASA is seeking creation of legislation that would strengthen patient autonomy and decision-making with accurate information about health care providers, and clarity in advertising and marketing.
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Expand access to anesthesiology medical care
For two decades, small rural hospitals have been using a Medicare “pass-through” provision that allows them to pay for the services of anesthesiologist assistants and nurse anesthetists under Part A. The ASA is asking for legislation to level the Medicare playing field, i.e. to allow anesthesiologists practicing in rural hospitals to also be paid under Part A. The ASA is strongly supporting H.R. 2204 and S. 1157 which would allow rural hospitals to use “pass-through” funds to employ or contract with anesthesiologists.
Armed with this agenda, the Texas Delegation split into small groups and met with our elected officials and staff members of Senator Hutchison, Senator Cornyn, and 32 Congressman from all areas of Texas. Our elected officials and their staffs listened carefully and asked insightful questions. Our concerns were communicated and well received.
Passage of PPACA legislation is only the first step of multi-year process. There will be many challenges to the new legislation. There will be proposals to revise, reform, and repeal parts of the law. And very importantly, there will be the rule-making process which creates the regulations which translate law into practice. The ASA and the TSA will continue to keep you informed and work to advocate for the interests of our patients and our membership.See you around the OR,
Pat
Patrick Giam, MD
President, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists
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