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February 25, 2017 12:00 AM

Letters: About the GOP proposals to replace the ACA, we've been here before

Modern Healthcare
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    Regarding the article “ GOP leaders unveil new ACA replacement plan, divisions remain” (ModernHealthcare.com, Feb. 17), it appears that Republicans would dismantle a successful Medicaid expansion, shift costs from those profiting from expanded coverage to those receiving high-value employer health coverage, and resort to high-risk pools to serve individuals with serious pre-existing conditions. We've been here before.

    For seven years, the GOP has failed to offer a serious and substantive health reform alternative—unless a reduction in coverage and economic shock are its objectives. It is clear few in Congress ever read the Affordable Care Act. The ACA incorporates both the high-deductible health plan/HSA model and the state alternative plan option, which the GOP promotes ... but neither is sufficient to provide assurance of affordable quality care and coverage.

    Legislative language on a GOP plan has long been absent, since an assessment of fiscal and coverage impacts by the Congressional Budget Office would prove devastating.

    William Pewen

    Washington, D.C.

    Business side of medicine wields too much power

    Regarding the recent article “ Swedish CEO resigns after claims of pushing high neurosurgery volume” (ModernHealthcare.com, Feb. 21) there is a very old law on the books in Pennsylvania that is not enforced but could be relevant in today's healthcare “marketplace.” The law prohibits the practice of “corporate medicine.” It is quaint to reflect back on such a law enacted in an era when doctors made all the medical decisions for referrals and procedures based upon the best interests of the patient.

    A doctor who neglected the pri-macy of this responsibility for some kind of personal financial gain would be discovered by colleagues in the community and re-educated on the matter or alternatively denied new referrals. It was not a perfect system but I have seen it work effectively over time. Now the business side of medicine has become way more powerful than the collective influence of physicians. In the long term the best care of the patient benefits patients, doctors and the bottom line, too.

    Dr. Robert Campbell

    Lebanon, Pa.

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    • News
      • Current News
      • Providers
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      • Safety & Quality
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      • Transformation
        • Patients
        • Operations
        • Care Delivery
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      • ESG
      • People
      • Regional News
        • Midwest
        • Northeast
        • South
        • West
      • Digital Edition (Web Version)
    • Opinion
      • Bold Moves
      • Breaking Bias
      • Commentaries
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      • Vital Signs Blog
      • From the Editor
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      • Awards
        • Nominate/Eligibility
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        • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
        • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
        • Excellence in Governance
        • Health Care Hall of Fame
        • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
        • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
        • Top Innovators
        • Diversity in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Diversity Leaders
          • - Leaders to Watch
        • Women in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Women Leaders
          • - Women to Watch
      • Conferences
        • Digital Health Transformation Summit
        • ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
      • Galas
        • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
        • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
        • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
        • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
      • Virtual Briefings
        • - Hospital of the Future
        • - Value Based Care
        • - Hospital at Home
        • - Workplace of the Future
        • - Digital Health
        • - Future of Staffing
        • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
      • Webinars
    • Multimedia
      • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
      • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
      • Video Series - The Check Up
      • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • Data Center
      • Data Center Home
      • Hospital Financials
      • Staffing & Compensation
      • Quality & Safety
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Data Archive
      • Resource Guide: By the Numbers
      • Surveys
      • Data Points
    • Newsletters
    • MORE+
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise
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