AARP Online Community: AARPCA - AARP Joins California Medical Association to Fight Physician Reimbursement Rate Cuts

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AARP Joins California Medical Association to Fight Physician Reimbursement Rate Cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 23, 2008

AARP Joins California Medical Association to Fight

Physician Reimbursement Rate Cuts

(SACRAMENTO) - AARP has joined forces with the California Medical Association, California Hospital Association, California Pharmacists Association and other health agencies to prevent the implementation of a 10 percent cut to Medi-Cal provider rates.

In early May, the California Medical Association (CMA) filed a suit against the California Department of Human Services to block the proposed cuts. AARP Foundation filed an amicus brief in support of CMA’s request to stop the rate reduction and preserve health services for millions of low-income Californians.

AARP’s amicus brief contends “short-term budgetary savings from these cuts will turn into long-term losses for the state, as health deteriorates due to lack of preventative care and an increase in future medical expenses.”

“We believe a 10 percent cut will drive doctors out of the Medi-Cal program and force some health facilities to close their doors,” warns AARP California State Director Tom Porter. “These rate cuts will make health care more inaccessible for low-income and vulnerable populations.”

California already has one of the lowest Medi-Cal physician reimbursement rates and the lowest spending per enrollee in the nation. Due to these low rates, physicians are dropping Medi-Cal patients, which has put California’s physician to beneficiary ratio well below the federal minimum standard.

“California’s seniors are among those most affected by cuts to Medi-Cal,” says Dr. Richard Frankenstein, M.D., President of CMA. “Access to doctors, home health care, and pharmacists is critical to ensure the health and well-being of seniors. The Medi-Cal cuts jeopardize that access, putting the lives and health of seniors at risk.”

AARP believes that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of these most vulnerable Californians. Our elected leaders should fully fund the “safety net” programs that are critical to the well-being of those who cannot care for themselves. If implemented, these cuts will further erode medical services for 6.6 million Californians.

The Los Angeles Superior Court will hear the case on Friday.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our Web site, www.aarp.org We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.