It is not only anesthesiologists who are concerned about this issue. Tens of thousands of our senior citizens wrote HCFA in response to this proposed rule change. Two recent surveys, one conducted in 1998 and the second just completed, show that four out of five seniors surveyed want a physician to supervise their anesthesia care. Congressmen Weldon and Green's bill responds to their concern by providing for a study of Medicare patients that would analyze the impact of physician supervision on mortality and adverse outcomes after surgery. In addition, the AMA has expressed the concern that HCFA's proposal would jeopardize patient safety and agrees that the study called for in the Safe Seniors Assurance Study Act is needed.
Patient safety is too vital to be left to chance.
As an anesthesiologist who cares deeply for my patients, as do my fellow physicians, I urge all Americans to make your voices heard on this issue by writing your Congressman. All rights reserved.