FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 10, 2019
MAG OPPOSING FLAWED FEDERAL SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS "COMPROMISE"
ATLANTA – The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) is opposing a federal surprise medical bills “compromise” that was recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Greg Walden (R-OR).
“MAG has been taking steps to eliminate surprise bills for out-of-network medical care for five years now,” says MAG President Andrew Reisman, M.D. “But the only winner under this legislation would be the health insurance industry, which continues to rack up record profits. This isn’t a sustainable solution because the delta between physician pay and the cost associated with delivering the care is simply too great.”
Dr. Reisman stresses that, “Having spent a considerable amount of time and energy evaluating this issue, MAG is confident that the best way to eliminate surprise bills in an equitable and sustainable way is to use an independent, non-profit database to establish fair compensation for surprise out-of-network bills.”
He also believes that physician pay should be based on myriad factors, including the complexity of the case and the physician’s experience.
Dr. Reisman concludes that, “MAG will continue to work with lawmakers at the state and federal levels to develop a permanent, market-based solution for surprise medical bills so patients have access to the physicians and hospitals they need during an emergency without having to worry about who is or isn’t in network and whether they can afford to pay their bill.”
MAG is among the physicians’ advocacy organizations that support the ‘Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act’ by U.S. Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN).
With more than 8,000 members, MAG is the leading voice for physicians in Georgia. MAG is an advocate for physicians in every practice setting and specialty. Go to www.mag.org for additional information.
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