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06/26/2015

Ohio ACEP Backs Resolution Urging Revision of Patient Satisfaction Surveys

House Resolution would encourage CMS to change surveys, reduce incentive to over-prescribe

House Concurrent Resolution 16, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Sears (R – Monclova Township) and Rep. Nickie Antonio (D – Lakewood), is a re-introduction of a resolution supported by Ohio ACEP last year. The resolution encourages the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to re-draft their patient satisfaction surveys in order to ease pressure on physicians to write prescriptions for opioids.

Because patient satisfaction surveys are designed to measure physician performance, the results of these surveys can affect physicians’ compensation. In addition, creating more pressure on physicians to prescribe opioids is bad public policy and may even hinder the state’s fight against opioid abuse.

According to Ohio ACEP President Dr. Michael McCrea in testimony to the House Committee on Health and Aging:

“Asking patients to rate their physician’s ability to treat their pain may create pressure on physicians to treat pain more aggressively than necessary… rather than set realistic expectations of pain relief… Over-prescribing pain medications to meet survey goals has the potential to compromise patient safety and may contribute to serious public health issues.”

Because the CMS surveys are under federal jurisdiction, the most a state legislature can do is pass a resolution urging Congressional action in Washington.

Ohio ACEP member, Dr. Maury Witkoff, also testified in support of HCR 16 on behalf of the Ohio State Medical Association. 

HCR 16 was unanimously voted out of the House Health and Aging Committee earlier this week and will now be voted on by the full House of Representatives.

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