Doctors on Health Care Reform

Doctors are stepping up to tell the government they want more say in Heath Care Reform. Nearly 11,000 doctors nation wide have signed a petition by the company Sermo that lists their heath care wishes. The petition asks policy makers to work directly with doctors to develop health reform. Dr. Todd Dillon is a Pediatrician with Little Turtle Pediatrics says he would be willing to sign the petition. “All physicians want Health Care reform, but the main point from the physicians stand point is we want to be involved.” Dr. Jeffry Cly, with Parkview Physicians Group, agrees that doctors should be involved in the health care decision, but he will not sight the Sermo petition. “I agree mostly with the Sermo proposal, but there are a few things that I don’t agree with so I haven’t signed it because I’m not in 100% agreement.” The petition has been signed by 238 Doctors in Indiana. It addresses issues in the Health bill from tort reform to allowing doctors to have more time with patients and less with paper work. Dan Towvim, with Sermo, says “The physicians appeal is an invitation to Senators from every state to engage directly with them on health care.” Dr. Dillon says if Health Care reform passes as is, his business will go under. “It quite possibly could hurt my business, if he (The President) requires me to cut costs further, as far as the working part of my practice, I can’t do it.” Dr. Cly’s concern with the proposed legislation is its lack of focus on the patient. “The Health Care proposal seems to be more about controlling the delivery of health care. I think the patients have gotten los in the shuffle.” Each doctor might have his own concerns with reform, but they all share one thing, they want a voice in the decision making process. Sermo representatives say they have gotten positive response back from law makers. To read a full copy of the petition go to http://www.sermo.com/reform