Area physicians discuss health care legislation
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
As Democrats and Republicans continue to debate the merits of the health
care reform legislation that was signed by President Barack Obama this week,
Highland County residents may be wondering what this will mean for them the
next time they visit their own doctor or hospital.
Some area physicians spoke with The Highland County Press this week on
their thoughts regarding the changes the bill could mean for local health
care, saying they hope it will not change their medical practices.
Hillsboro physician Dr. Jeff Beery said that he hopes he will be allowed
to continue to practice medicine and conduct business the way he always has.
“I would hope I would continue to have the opportunity to practice
patient-centered medicine, as I have been,” Beery said. “I plan to provide
an alternative to the government system, for people who are interested.”
Beery said that he currently treats people who are uninsured. “Everybody
pays the same at my office,” he said.
Comparing the new legislation to the universal health care systems that
are in place in other countries, Beery said, “It is my understanding the
British system allows for private enterprise and the Canadian system does
not. I worry this could migrate toward the Canadian system. I don’t know
anyone who has read the entire 2,300 pages (of the bill). I want to be the
alternative for people who are frustrated with the system who want more
personalized care, not rationed care.”
Dr. Eric Bernhoffer, of Prospect Road Family Practice near Hillsboro,
said he does not think the bill will have its intended effect in bringing
more health care to more people. Rather, he said it will make it difficult
for physicians and hospitals.
Bernhoffer said he is concerned how the new health care system will be
funded, saying it actually could drive up the costs through taxes to medical
equipment, and less of a reimbursement to doctors for Medicaid or Medicare
patients. “It’s going to be harder for us to keep up. I hope it helps
people. But I am really doubtful (the bill) will accomplish what they want
it to accomplish.”
Bernhoffer said he came to the Highland County area through the National
Health Services Corps, which helps provide physicians to underserved areas.
“I would hate to see the area lose even more physicians, especially in
light of the economic situation here,” Bernhoffer said.
“My main issue is, I hope this doesn’t change how or where I practice
medicine,” Bernhoffer said. “I don’t think the people in Washington have
listened to their constituents and I don’t think they have listened to
physicians. I think Washington has lost touch with the people.”
State elected officials are divided on the issue.
A video posted on Congressman Mike Turner’s, R-Centerville, Web site
shows Turner speaking from the House floor March 21, calling the
legislation, “misguided.”
“Americans know that advances in medical research are a strength of the
American health care system and should be encouraged instead of restricted
by additional layers of red tape,” Turner said.
“Unfortunately this misguided health care legislation would reduce
medical payments to CAT scan and MRI providers. It also creates a 2.9
percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers. The lowered payments and
increased taxes can reduce the availability of new and advancing medical
imaging technology. This will inhibit future innovation in medical research
and will delay or deny patient access to new and valuable technology.
Continued innovation that improves patient centered medicine is vital to the
long-term availability of health care service in America. This is just one
example of the number of provisions buried in this pending health care bill.
The unintended consequences of lowering payments and increasing taxes will
constrain future research and development and hinder our doctors’ ability to
deliver the best quality care to our patients ... For that, I oppose the
bill.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, stated on his Web site that the
legislation will provide access to health care to more than 30 million
uninsured Americans. “This is a historic moment for our country. The health
reform bill ... will reduce the deficit, ensure that more than 30 million
uninsured Americans have access to affordable health coverage, and lower
premiums for middle-class families and small businesses.”
“Too many insurance companies are reaping record profits, yet raising
premiums for consumers,” Brown. “This bill will ban insurance companies from
denying care if you have a pre-existing condition or cancelling coverage if
you get sick. Skyrocketing health costs have undermined the competitiveness
of our nation’s small businesses and the security of our middle-class
households. Health reform will change this ... Every American family should
have access to a family doctor. This bill is the first of many steps we’ll
take to ensure that middle-class families who work hard and play by the
rules can still get ahead.”
President Obama said, “ If you like your current insurance, you will
keep your current insurance. No government takeover; nobody is changing what
you’ve got if you’re happy with it. If you like your doctor, you will be
able to keep your doctor. In fact, more people will keep their doctors
because your coverage will be more secure and more stable than it was before
I signed this legislation.
The Democratic Party’s Web site, www.ohiodems.org, spells out components
of the bill, stating it “will offer immediate benefits to millions of
Americans through key provisions.”
The Democrats claim the bill "will offer immediate benefits to millions
of Americans through key provisions," including:
1. SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS—Offers tax credits to small businesses to make
employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of
premiums will be immediately available to firms that choose to offer
coverage. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2014,
the small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)
2. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE—Provides a $250 rebate to
Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for
calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50 percent discount on
brand_name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by
2020.)
3. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE—Eliminates co_payments for preventive
services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare
program.
4. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES—Creates a temporary re_insurance program (until
the Exchanges are available) to help offset the costs of expensive premiums
for employers and retirees for health benefits for retirees age 55_64.
Effective 90 days after enactment.
5. ENDS RESCISSIONS—Bans insurance companies from dropping people from
coverage when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.
6. NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE_EXISTING CONDITIONS—Prohibits
new health plans in all markets plus grandfathered group health plans from
denying coverage to children with pre_existing conditions. Effective 6
months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to
all persons.)
7. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Prohibits health insurance companies
from placing lifetime caps on coverage.
8. BANS RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Tightly restricts the use of
annual limits to ensure access to needed care in all new plans and
grandfathered group health plans. These tight restrictions will be defined
by HHS.
9. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PRIVATE PLANS—Requires new private plans
to cover preventive services with no co_payments and with preventive
services being exempt from deductibles.
10. NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS—Ensures consumers in new plans have
access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal
decisions by their health insurance plan.
According to the Ohio Republican Party’s Web site, www.ohiogop.org,
“Republican Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, joined Congressman Jim
Jordan, R-Urbana, and other members of the Ohio Republican Congressional
delegation in a letter to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (D) asking
that he join his fellow Attorneys General in challenging the
constitutionality of H.R. 3590, the recently-signed health care overhaul
bill.
The bill contains a controversial ‘individual mandate’ provision
requiring, under penalty of law, that every American purchase health
insurance.
As Democrats and Republicans continue to debate the merits of the health care reform legislation that was signed by President Barack Obama this week, Highland County residents may be wondering what this will mean for them the next time they visit their own doctor or hospital.
Some area physicians spoke with The Highland County Press this week on their thoughts regarding the changes the bill could mean for local health care, saying they hope it will not change their medical practices.
Hillsboro physician Dr. Jeff Beery said that he hopes he will be allowed to continue to practice medicine and conduct business the way he always has.
“I would hope I would continue to have the opportunity to practice patient-centered medicine, as I have been,” Beery said. “I plan to provide an alternative to the government system, for people who are interested.”
Beery said that he currently treats people who are uninsured. “Everybody pays the same at my office,” he said.
Comparing the new legislation to the universal health care systems that are in place in other countries, Beery said, “It is my understanding the British system allows for private enterprise and the Canadian system does not. I worry this could migrate toward the Canadian system. I don’t know anyone who has read the entire 2,300 pages (of the bill). I want to be the alternative for people who are frustrated with the system who want more personalized care, not rationed care.”
Dr. Eric Bernhoffer, of Prospect Road Family Practice near Hillsboro, said he does not think the bill will have its intended effect in bringing more health care to more people. Rather, he said it will make it difficult for physicians and hospitals.
Bernhoffer said he is concerned how the new health care system will be funded, saying it actually could drive up the costs through taxes to medical equipment, and less of a reimbursement to doctors for Medicaid or Medicare patients. “It’s going to be harder for us to keep up. I hope it helps people. But I am really doubtful (the bill) will accomplish what they want it to accomplish.”
Bernhoffer said he came to the Highland County area through the National Health Services Corps, which helps provide physicians to underserved areas.
“I would hate to see the area lose even more physicians, especially in light of the economic situation here,” Bernhoffer said.
“My main issue is, I hope this doesn’t change how or where I practice medicine,” Bernhoffer said. “I don’t think the people in Washington have listened to their constituents and I don’t think they have listened to physicians. I think Washington has lost touch with the people.”
State elected officials are divided on the issue.
A video posted on Congressman Mike Turner’s, R-Centerville, Web site shows Turner speaking from the House floor March 21, calling the legislation, “misguided.”
“Americans know that advances in medical research are a strength of the American health care system and should be encouraged instead of restricted by additional layers of red tape,” Turner said.
“Unfortunately this misguided health care legislation would reduce medical payments to CAT scan and MRI providers. It also creates a 2.9 percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers. The lowered payments and increased taxes can reduce the availability of new and advancing medical imaging technology. This will inhibit future innovation in medical research and will delay or deny patient access to new and valuable technology. Continued innovation that improves patient centered medicine is vital to the long-term availability of health care service in America. This is just one example of the number of provisions buried in this pending health care bill. The unintended consequences of lowering payments and increasing taxes will constrain future research and development and hinder our doctors’ ability to deliver the best quality care to our patients ... For that, I oppose the bill.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, stated on his Web site that the
legislation will provide access to health care to more than 30 million uninsured Americans. “This is a historic moment for our country. The health reform bill ... will reduce the deficit, ensure that more than 30 million uninsured Americans have access to affordable health coverage, and lower premiums for middle-class families and small businesses.”
“Too many insurance companies are reaping record profits, yet raising premiums for consumers,” Brown. “This bill will ban insurance companies from denying care if you have a pre-existing condition or cancelling coverage if you get sick. Skyrocketing health costs have undermined the competitiveness of our nation’s small businesses and the security of our middle-class households. Health reform will change this ... Every American family should have access to a family doctor. This bill is the first of many steps we’ll take to ensure that middle-class families who work hard and play by the rules can still get ahead.”
President Obama said, “ If you like your current insurance, you will keep your current insurance. No government takeover; nobody is changing what you’ve got if you’re happy with it. If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. In fact, more people will keep their doctors because your coverage will be more secure and more stable than it was before I signed this legislation.
The Democratic Party’s Web site, www.ohiodems.org, spells out components of the bill, stating it “will offer immediate benefits to millions of Americans through key provisions.”
The Democrats claim the bill "will offer immediate benefits to millions of Americans through key provisions," including:
1. SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS—Offers tax credits to small businesses to make employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums will be immediately available to firms that choose to offer coverage. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2014, the small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)
2. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE—Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)
3. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE—Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program.
4. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES—Creates a temporary re-insurance program (until the Exchanges are available) to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees for health benefits for retirees age 55-64. Effective 90 days after enactment.
5. ENDS RESCISSIONS—Bans insurance companies from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.
6. NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE_EXISTING CONDITIONS—Prohibits new health plans in all markets plus grandfathered group health plans from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to all persons.)
7. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage.
8. BANS RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Tightly restricts the use of annual limits to ensure access to needed care in all new plans and grandfathered group health plans. These tight restrictions will be defined by HHS.
9. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PRIVATE PLANS—Requires new private plans to cover preventive services with no co-payments and with preventive services being exempt from deductibles.
10. NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS—Ensures consumers in new plans have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal decisions by their health insurance plan.
According to the Ohio Republican Party’s Web site, www.ohiogop.org, “Republican Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, joined Congressman Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, and other members of the Ohio Republican Congressional delegation in a letter to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (D) asking that he join his fellow Attorneys General in challenging the constitutionality of H.R. 3590, the recently-signed health care overhaul bill.
The bill contains a controversial ‘individual mandate’ provision
requiring, under penalty of law, that every American purchase health insurance.
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