On April 1, a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians went into effect. The cuts may not be permanent, but many of those in the health care field have recently become outspoken in an attempt to ensure they're not.
Monday afternoon, San Antonio physicians joined forces with Texas doctors from across the state to launch a petition drive to Congress to stop what they've dubbed "Medicare Meltdown."
Staff and patients at The Heights on Huebner Nursing Facility are also having an adverse reaction to the cuts. Margaret Estes, the nursing home administrator, said, "This provides an enormous challenge in how we're going to be able to care for the residents we serve."
"Just like any business, when you have more expenses and revenue is cut," she said, "we need to look at what areas we can cut."
Estes says labor costs make up 70 percent of the nursing facility's budget. She says labor includes the therapists, rehab technicians, dieting staff and maintenance costs. The funding for those costs is provided in large part by Medicare and Medicaid.
For years, Texas has ranked 49th in the nation when it comes to Medicaid reimbursement.
A rehab technician at The Heights, Sharon Dukes, says many people are living to be from 100 to 110 years old these days. Dukes said, "Some of the residents don't have anybody but us. I think its really a slap in the face to propose cuts to Medicare."
Many physicians warn they won't be able to afford to take Medicare patients if these cuts are permanent.
Congress is expected to decide in a couple of weeks.
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