Physicians React To PPACA SCOTUS Decision: DPMA Virtual News Conference 3pm ET

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Jun 28, 2012, 08:09 ET

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the Doctor Patient Medical Association:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120607/DC21244LOGO)

EVENT: Physicians' Virtual News Conference

DATE: June 28

TIME: 3 - 3:30 pm et

CALL IN: (712) 432-3900
342212#

Join our call with prominent doctors in ACTIVE clinical practice for their reactions to the court's decision.

Moderating the call will be Kathryn Serkes, DPMA Chairman, and author of survey "Physicians' Attitudes on Future of Medicine: What's Wrong, Who's to Blame & What Will Fix It."

NOTE: This call will be recorded and archived immediately at (712) 432-3903, 342212#

BACKGROUND ON SURVEY:

No matter what way the Supreme Court rules on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, doctors say that it will have little impact on patients' access to medical care, according to "The Future of Medicine: What's Wrong, Who's to Blame and What Will Fix It," a survey conducted by the Doctor Patient Medical Association (DPMA).

"Doctors on the frontlines clearly understand what Washington does not," says Kathryn Serkes, DPMA Chairman. "Government-mandated 'coverage' is not the same thing as actual medical care. Whether the mandate is overturned or stands, whether the Medicaid expansion is overturned or stand, we'll still have millions who need medical care."

Survey results show that almost 3 out of 4 (72%) doctors say that the individual insurance mandate does NOT improve access to actual medical care. "The major problem is the politicians equating health 'insurance' with 'health care,'" comments a family doctor.

"Doctors think that the individual insurance mandate and the massive expansion of Medicaid in PPACA are the government version of bait-and-switch tactics – promising something that you know you can't deliver," says Serkes.

"What PPACA does is increase patients' access to a piece of paper – that says they are 'covered' by insurance or 'enrolled' in Medicaid," says Serkes. "But paper promises don't translate to actual medical care when doctors can't afford to see patients at the lowball payments, and patients have to jump through bureaucratic hoops set up by the government."

The survey also shows that 9 out of 10 doctors say medicine is "on the wrong track" and 83% now think about quitting.

NOTE: The Doctor Patient Medical Assn. is a non-partisan group working for freedom in medicine for doctors AND patients. Our goal is increased choice and access to medical care.

CONTACT: Kelly Benedetti (202) 744-8807
[email protected]
www.DoctorsandPatients.org

SOURCE Doctor Patient Medical Association