A bill to drive physicians out of practice in the state of California

A guest column by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exclusive to KevinMD.com. If you have not yet heard about Assembly Bill (AB) 3087, a bill that was presented in the California State Assembly this spring, you should keep reading and be very concerned. This bill, introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D- San Jose), is the latest effort by special interests to unilaterally implement state control of physician practices and payments. It is also one of the most poorly conceived and dangerous bills regarding health care that we have seen in California in some time. Unfortunately, the bill’s fundamental concepts could metastasize to other states. As noted by the California Medical Association (CMA) in its letter of opposition to the Assembly Health Committee, “The bill establishes an unelected Commission of nine individuals who are charged with setting physician and hospital rates for the entire commercial market in California.  This Commission is funded in part through the use of physician licensing fees even though physicians are expressly prohibited from serving on the Commission.  Physician licensing fees will also be appropriated to pay for the sponsors of the bill to lobby and receive witness fees to testify in front of this unelected commission.” Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Policy Public Health & Surgery Source Type: blogs