AOA Testifies on Health Care Reform's Impact on Small PracticesAOA Trustee Joseph M. Yasso, Jr, DO, July 19, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations during a hearing examining the impact of health care realignment and regulations on small and solo medical practices. Yasso pointed out that solo practices and small groups face new demands like the adoption of electronic health records, eprescribing requirements; preparations for ICD-10; and the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. However, physicians are adapting to change by joining patient-centered medical homes and participating in shared savings programs.
"While physicians in all practice settings face financial and administrative burdens," said Yasso, "the impact on small practices is particularly disproportionate, detracting from the time available for patient care. As we work to improve the health care delivery system for patients, physicians must be provided appropriate payment and incentives to practice effectively in the setting of their choice. Patients deserve this level of access."
|