Physician's group urging healthcare reform

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The American College of Physicians is urging U.S. Congressional leaders to reach agreement on providing affordable healthcare to all Americans.

In a letter, Dr. Joseph W. Stubbs, president of the American College of Physicians, said the group agrees with President Barack Obama that Congress must complete the task of enacting comprehensive health insurance reform legislation.

Stubbs urged adoption of five priorities of the American College of Physicians:

-- Create a pathway to providing affordable coverage to all Americans. The bills already passed by the House and Senate would provide coverage to 94 percent to 96 percent of all legal residents.

-- Both bills increase Medicare payments for designated services by primary care physicians but they differ on the amount, the services and the criteria for a physician to qualify. We urge that the House's overall approach be adopted, but at the 10 percent bonus level, as passed by the Senate.

-- Accelerate pilot-testing and adoption of innovative models.

-- Support broad adoption of alternatives to the current medical liability tort system.

-- Enact a permanent end to the cycle of Medicare payment cuts caused by the Sustainable Growth Rate. The Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate amended in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 calls for establishing yearly targets for physicians' services under Medicare.