The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA [P.L. 111-148]) created the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a commission appointed by the President and empowered to make changes to reduce per capita Medicare spending that exceeds a government determined threshold. The IPAB will have unprecedented power with little oversight and judicial review will be prohibited.
    MSDC is concerned about rationing of care as a result of IPAB actions. The IPAB is barred from proposing modifications to Medicare that would result in changing the current system for beneficiaries, including beneficiary premiums, cost-sharing, or benefit design. Because of these restrictions, we believe the panel will reduce payments to providers and access to innovative therapies, thus limiting patient access.

     In response to these concerns, MSDC has included them in a letter that is also supported by several other state and national specialty societies that has been sent to members of Congress.  To read the letter, please click here.

     MSDC, and other state and national medical societies, have sent a letter to President Obama, Vice President Biden, Sens. Inouye, Baucus, Kyl, Reid, and McConnell, and Reps. Cantor, Van Hollen, Clyburn, Pelosi and Speaker Boehner urging them to repeal and reform the current Sustainable Growth Rate used in Medicare.  The letter addresses the need for reform, and its potential positive impact on the deficit if done properly.  The letter emphasizes this need, while Congressional staffers from the House Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce committees continue to meet to discuss possible ways to replace the SGR.

     To read the letter, please click here.

     On June 3, 2011, U.S. Representative Mike Ross (D-AR) introduced H.R. 2140, a bill that would inappropriately grant audiologists unlimited direct access to Medicare patients without a physician referral. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) strongly opposes H.R. 2140.  This is not the first time this issue has been addressed.  In 2009, over 100 organizations joined the AAO-HNS in opposing nearly identical legislation.
     The AAO-HNS believes a physician-led hearing healthcare team with coordination of services is the best approach for providing the highest quality care to patients. To that end, the AAO-HNS initiated and actively participated in past negotiations with the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) to identify ways to increase seniors' access to our non-physician colleagues without jeopardizing patient safety. Unfortunately, the AAA ultimately withdrew its support of jointly-crafted compromise legislation and has continued its efforts to advance the recycled language included in H.R. 2140.
     While audiologists play a critical role in providing quality hearing healthcare, their desire to independently diagnose hearing disorders transcends their level of training and expertise. Hearing and balance disorders are medical conditions and require, by necessity, a full patient history and physical examination by a physician. Bypassing a physician evaluation and referral can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment that could cause lasting, and expensive, damage to patients.

     The Leadership Development/ Nominating Committee will meet soon to develop a slate of candidates for Society officers. The election by mail ballot will occur in the fall. Offices on the ballot will be as follows:

• President-Elect (1) 1 year term
• Director, At Large (3) 2 year terms
• AMA Delegate (1) 2 year term
• AMA Alternate Delegate (1) 2 year term

     All you need to do to be considered by the Leadership Development/Nominating Committee or to recommend a colleague is to complete this form and return it to us with a C.V. and that's it!
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ed Shanbacker, Executive Vice President, at (202) 355-9401 or shanbacker@msdc.org.

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