Contact: Richard Gulla
rgulla@mms.org
(781) 434-7101
Waltham, Mass. - March 21, 2010 - The following is a statement
attributable to Massachusetts Medical Society President Mario E.
Motta, M.D., following the House's passage of health care
legislation tonight.
"We are pleased that the House has passed HR 3590. Even though
the bill is far from perfect, our country is much better off with
the legislation, than without it.
"Thanks to this legislation, 32 million more people will have
health insurance, insurance company abuses will forever be
prohibited, the deficit will be significantly reduced, primary care
will receive extensive financial support, and our state's bold
universal coverage program will not only be supported, but
enhanced. We thank our congressional delegation for its tireless
work in this regard.
"However, our support for HR 3590 remains qualified. There are
many issues that require action, because they compromise the
ability of patients to get the high quality of care they need and
deserve. Most urgently, Congress must immediately implement a
permanent reform of the flawed Medicare physician payment
formula.
"We stand ready to work with our congressional delegation and
with our colleagues in medicine to address those issues in a
timely, comprehensive manner."
The Massachusetts Medical Society, with more than 22,000
physicians and student members, is dedicated to educating and
advocating for the patients and physicians of Massachusetts. The
Society publishes the New England Journal of Medicine, a leading
global medical journal and web site, and Journal Watch alerts and
newsletters covering 13 specialties. The Society is also a leader
in continuing medical education for health care professionals
throughout Massachusetts, conducting a variety of medical education
programs for physicians and health care professionals. Founded in
1781, MMS is the oldest continuously operating medical society in
the country.
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