I began reading the 850 page draft discussion bill for health care reform that the House of Representatives is now considering.
The bill is now in committee.
The contents of the proposal are frightening, and impacts not only reimbursements but also how, and what type and numbers of residency programs will be offered. It usurps the role of established specialty boards and overides the goals of program directors. Every academic physician must read this document, and react immediately. The content of the entire bill goes beyond my limited time to discuss it's entirety here, but can be found at:
HR discussion Draft. Considerable length is given to the formation and administration of a "Health Care Exchange". The extent of regulation and enforcement dwarfs the already present insurance company bureaucracy. It is difficult to surmise how this will play out in terms of costs to the taxpayers of the United States.