The McCarran-Ferguson Act and repeal thereof is gaining in popularity including many healthcare professions jumping on the bandwagon since the House voted for the second time in three months to repeal legislation of this antiquated legislation.  AMA’s studies as well as all of us in private practice know, competition in the health insurance industry is a thing of the past. Few companies all working together to ratchet reimbursement down and create bottlenecks for providers to access patients which at the end of the day permits price fixing amongst health insurers.  Of course, all of this is in the background of healthcare reform so it has not caught the chatter boards nearly as much as the extension of exception process or delaying the 21% cuts (side ques: why is there celebration of the passage of a 1 month delay rather than repulsion that any of this is going on to begin with?).

The AMA has taken a stand for repeal.  Where are we? Why haven’t we heard from our various national associations and representation?  Is it time to play “safe” politics or is it time to see the perspective of those in the trenches trying to deal with monopolistic payors and their draconian cuts?

Thoughts?

larry@physicaltherapist.com