End the Federal War on Cash-Paying, Poor, and Uninsured Patients, Doctors Tell Trump Administration

TUCSON, Ariz., July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) submitted comments on Wednesday in response to the Trump administration's request for ideas on "empowering patients and promoting consumer choice," "reducing the regulatory burdens and improving health care choices to empower patients" and "enhancing affordability."

"We are asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to end discrimination against patients who choose to pay cash for timely access to care, are voluntarily uninsured, cannot afford insurance due to skyrocketing premiums and deductibles, or were forced into Medicaid or other low quality coverage," stated AAPS Executive Director Jane M. Orient, M.D. "American patients likely do not yet realize the extent of restrictions imposed by the government and insurers on patients obtaining the medical care of their choice outside the third-party system. What is happening to Charlie Gard in the UK could also happen here in the United States."

Paying directly for care is shown to lower costs dramatically. The cash price may be as low as one-tenth the hospital list price, as demonstrated by transparent pricing available at facilities like the Surgery Center of Oklahoma and Direct Primary Care clinics such as Atlas MD. Moreover, quality improves when physicians break free of insurance company and government red tape and spend more time with patients, studies show. More cash practices means more affordable options for patients.

Tracy Ragland, M.D., President of the Kentucky AAPS Chapter tells CMS: "There are remarkable downstream savings as better access leads to less need for ER visits, advanced imaging, specialty care, and hospitalizations. In addition, Direct Care helps many individuals with high-deductible plans realize that they can find much more affordable options by simply paying for services rather than using their insurance."

ObamaCare regulations and other failed government programs have, however, waged a war on "covered" patients, placing obstacles between them and the medical care they need. Medicaid and Medicare patients, for example, are increasingly encountering long waits for appointments, if they can even find a physician accepting their "coverage." Yet federal government regulations too often discourage or even prohibit them from using their own money to purchase medical care outside of the government-run system.

AAPS and its Kentucky chapter separately submitted comments to CMS offering specific solutions for eliminating regulations detrimental to patients and physicians working together outside of the crumbling insurance and government dominated "system." Lifting government overregulation, "would revolutionize healthcare in the United States, making it better and more affordable for everyone, including lower-income individuals and Medicaid beneficiaries," concludes Dr. Ragland.

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in virtually all specialties and every state. Founded in 1943, AAPS has the motto "omnia pro aegroto," which means "all for the patient."

SOURCE Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)

Related Links

http://www.aapsonline.org