Your vote for passage of this bill is crucial to the physicians and patients of Illinois. H.R. 1304 would allow health care professionals to negotiate collectively with health plans regarding terms that affect patient care, thus restoring physicians ability to advocate for quality care for their patients. Current health care trends indicate enormous consolidation among health insurers. In the last ten years, there have been over 162 health plan mergers. The result is that health care has indeed become an industry, and although shareholders may benefit, the reality is that patients suffer.
Large companies are able to virtually dictate premium prices and plan options to patients.
In addition, through heavy-handed insurer negotiating tactics, physician contracts often include terms and conditions actually harmful to patients. In light of this, it is ironic that huge insurers have for years enjoyed the benefits of a federal anti-trust exemption passed by the Congress. It will restore medical decision -making to its rightful place, in the hands of patients and their doctors. We also believe that many problems of today s managed care environment can be solved and high quality care can be achieved through a truly competitive market place . Please help ISMS' 16,000 members and our patients across Illinois.