More patients are asking for medical care at no cost, and physicians are
struggling to meet the increase in requests, according to a report issued
Nov. 18 by the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Institute for Good
Medicine.
"Even though our physician members are doing more for the uninsured and
underinsured, many feel they're reaching their limit," said Peter Lund, MD,
the institute's founder, and a urologist in Erie. "With the state of the
economy, I'm not surprised by this year's findings, and, clearly, this
could signal problems ahead."
Approximately 80% of member physicians surveyed donated time, resources or
both, and those donations added up to a cash equivalent of $400 million,
according to the institute. The survey said 57% felt the demand for
charitable care had increased; 62% felt levels had become unsustainable.
The American Medical Association's Code of Medical Ethics says physicians
should work to ensure that the needs of the poor in their communities are
met. If physicians cannot offer this care, they should help patients obtain
needed services through public or charitable programs.
The institute's survey included more than 400 doctors and had a margin of
error of plus or minus 4.6%.
The report is the latest indication that the demand for uncompensated care
created by the recent recession may have become too much, not just in
Pennsylvania, but for the country as a whole.
The American Academy of Family Physicians on May 19 released results of a
survey of its members, finding that 66% were discounting fees, increasing
charity care, providing free screenings, or moving patients to generic
prescriptions. Also, 73% of family physicians said they had seen an
increase in uninsured patients visiting their offices.
An American Hospital Assn. survey of hospital chief executive officers,
released April 27, found that 70% said they were experiencing a moderate or
significant increase in levels of uncompensated care. Approximately 53%
noted a moderate or significant growth in the need for subsidized services
in their communities.
The full and original article can be found here:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/12/07/bise1210.htm
Totale: $ 0
