AMAC touts increased access to healthcare, taxpayer savings of billions in annual Medicaid payments
WASHINGTON, DC – A simple but effective mechanism to increase both choice and access to quality healthcare for the nation’s Medicaid eligible poor, while saving billions in Medicaid and CHIP outlays, was introduced today in the House of Representatives. Under the proposed law, doctors and medical professionals who offer medical care for low-income Americans would receive a tax deduction for each low-income patient they treat for free.
The “Physician Pro Bono Care Act ” was introduced by Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) and Collin Peterson (D-MN). The bill has five additional co-sponsors.
Many physicians are dropping out of the Medicaid program due to high administrative costs and procedural burdens. This bipartisan Physician Pro Bono Care Act (H.R. 856) effectively provides Medicaid and CHIP eligible individuals and families access to healthcare, the ability to choose their physicians and to establish long-term patient-physician relationships.
At the same time, the law would provide physicians the opportunity to avoid Medicaid’s and CHIP’s costly administrative burdens and receive a simple charitable tax deduction for their services. The annual net savings of this charitable deduction approach to Medicaid and the CHIP program expenditures would be a multiple of the cost of the deduction.
“This can be a bipartisan win-win to improve access and choice to healthcare for those of limited means, and I urge the Congress to take up this legislation and pass it,” said Dan Weber, president and founder of AMAC. “From the positive feedback we’ve received from physicians, we believe medical care could be offered to as many as 7 million needy people,” Weber added.
“This bill is a creative, commonsense solution that ensures our most vulnerable Americans have access to the care they need, from the doctor they choose, at a price they can afford,” said Rep. Daniel Webster. “This bill removes government bureaucracy and red-tape that obstructs the patient-doctor relationship, and it expands access to doctors for some of the more vulnerable in our society.”
“In addition to expanding care options for those most in need, the Physician Pro Bono Care Act also has the potential to save billions of dollars in federal healthcare expenditures,” said Rep. Collin Peterson. “I look forward to working with Congressman Webster to implement this important reform.”
EDIT AS OF 3/12/19:
Bill Introduced By:
Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL-06)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN-07)
Additional Co-sponsors:
Rick Allen (R/GA-12)
Jody Hice (R/GA-10)
Mark Meadows (R/NC-11)
Alex Mooney (R/WV-02)
Bruce Westerman (R/AR-04)
Paul Gosar (R/AZ-04)
Pete Stauber (R/MN-08)
Ron Wright (R/TX-06)
Ted Budd (R/NC-13)
Greg Gianforte (R/MT-AL)
Barry Loudermilk (R/GA-11)
Greg Stuebe (R/FL-17)
AMAC is the 1.6-million-member conservative alternative to AARP and has extensively lobbied in support of the measure. The organization will continue its work with House Members to encourage more co-sponsors as well as support from the medical and conservative communities, who supported a nearly identical version of the bill which was introduced in the last session of Congress.
Media Contacts:
Mike Russell – [email protected] • 703-683-5004 ext. 1109
Morgan Assenmacher – [email protected] • 703-683-5004 ext. 1121
One Democrat?
I would like to see strong support for alternative health clinics that stress more natural treatments over just prescribing pharmaceuticals. I bet you at least 60% of health problems are to poor diet and not getting proper nutrition- ie real vitamins and minerals in proper combinations and eating real, non processed foods or close to it.
I can’t but notice how only one Dem is on the support list. Apparently, anything that delays their total control of healthcare is unacceptable.
I am a staunch Republican. I have a loved one who is suffering from an autoimmune disease. He spends most days vomiting and dealing with diarrhea. He has tried to find any type of computer work that he can do during the few hours a day that he can function properly. He is still making small monthly payments on the tremendous medical bills that he was charged before he was allowed to join medicaid. If he had no family to help him and no medicaid he would also have no hope. Communism is terrible, but that doesn’t mean that we can not temper our American medical needs to fit the needs of the Americans who cannot afford those services. Many Seniors would not be alive if not for medicare. Some call Medicare communism, but it fits in with our founding fathers faith and principles and it has been a blessing to our country. Democrats have created a deceptive reputation for loving the poor and needy. But let my fellow Republicans create a true, factual reputation, that shows we do care about the health of every single American. The sick, the mentally and physically disabled, the children, the poor. That’s not socialism that’s Christian.
What about people like me that had Medicaid then got social security benefits before I turned 65?
This will Definetly be abused. No doctor or medical personnel will ever pay taxes and no middle income person will ever be afford medical care. This is just another government scam!
We should set up small, drop-in Clinics in low income areas to provide ordinary medical care close to home. They should have extended hours so the WORKING poor are able to access it. This will cost some money, but decrease the number of visits to expensive emergency rooms for minor illnesses, accidents, etc. Having medical care nearby could save someone’s life. We should offer medical students some forgiveness of educational debts if they agree to work in these clinics for a set period of time during their internship or following graduation.
There is NO SUCH THING as free anything. Someone i.e. the taxpayers are paying for the freeloaders. Medical costs skyrocketed only after the government got involved. Anyone remember LBJ touting Medicare by saying it would never cost more that 7 or 8 billion dollars. See how that worked ougt
Since this is a bi-partisan bill, one should have plenty of reservations. If it is truly ‘simple but effective’, then there would be no need for bi-partisanship. Every one in Congress would vote for it, and devil take the politics. But no, its described as a bi-partisan bill – meant to tell all free market loving voters that they would be silly not to support a bill like this. Remember the St Joseph/St Elizabeth/Presbyterian/etc hospitals once took care of the poor, until the govt stepped in. Best to repeal Obamacare – remember McCain was bi-partisan, until it came time to repeal the Obamacare monstrosity. Then he showed everybody his true fully leftist colours.
Stop giving people everything “FREE”!!! These people need to purchase insurance as everyone else does!!
These Republicans supporting the bill need to cancel their Cadillac insurance plans and use Medicaid as they suggest!!
What a bunch of horse hockey. If you believe that ANY govenment program is going to save ANY money then I have some swap land in Arizona to sell you. Of course the Dems are going to be for this as it brings us on step closer to “single payer’ health care. Shame on the REPs for sponoring such a bill. Some one in another response said it all, “once the govenment got its grimy hands on the health care system in this country it has gone to h*** in a hand basket”.
Nothing is ever FREE….somewhere, someone else pays.
We already give medical freebies to illegals, criminals and every To, Dick and Harry…..I think many politicians who cannot help but pander ought to work for free and be term limited….
Finally a win- win in healthcare!
SO SICK of all of this ALWAYS falling on the TAXPAYERS!!! This will just do the same.
wealth transfer
They need more than just health care. What good is it to have free doctor visits if they still can’t afford the medicines.
Poor Rep. Peterson will be excommunicated from the Democrat Party for signing on to such a Common Sense bill. It will result in fewer people being totally dependent on the Dem Party. THAT cannot be allowed!!! Note that all of the cosponsors are Republicans. Does this tell you anything?
Crazy. Not in the list of authorized Federal government functions. It belongs to the states AND it is not possible to fund it if they taxed us at 100%
Is seniors receiving free health care. I pay for mine. I know in Florida there already programs in place
“Pro Bono”. No such thing as FREE some one has to pay. Guess who? The poor not the rich.
The idea sounds good as far as it goes. But, any service offered for free to the recipient of that service is going to be abused. Probably by the provider and recipient. Requiring a minimum co-pay, $10 or $15 per visit would stop many from abusing the proposed provision. No idea how you manage the care providers, but monitoring of some sort needs to be in place. If not, you’re going to have thousands of doctors pay no taxes at all because of the “treatments” they provide under this proposed bill. I’m all for delivering quality health care to those who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. However, without boundaries you are leaving this proposed system wide-open to abuse.
That would be one step for better care but still does not address people on Medicare. I have for many years have been getting health care through a group company similar to Kaiser, providers cannot deny your care. I have recently decided I would like larger access outside their network so I thought I would change medical insurance unfortunately it’s almost impossible to find a family practice doctor that will except you as a patient because you have no relation with them and you have Medicare so your stuck. What is the answer to this problem?
Only if the person who is to receive the medical attention can show written documented proof that they are a citizen of the United States of America. This must include photo I.D., name, current address, Social Security number, written proof that they have passed an official DRUG TEST
Healthcare costs are astronomical in the U.S. when compared to other First World Countries. However, the cause of this is NEVER addressed. Almost 1/3 of the tests doctors do is to ward off the possibility of a law suite. Lets get rid of the blood sucking ambulance chancing lawyers, put reasonable caps on liability (Medical personal are human too and they do make honest mistakes just as everyone else does). We also need to get the medical insurance companies back into insurance and stop trying to practice medicine. We also need to dismiss lawsuits on medical devices which have worked for years before failure. The people who had those devices implanted had a better quality of life and a longer life than they would have had if said devices had not been implanted.
No, I am in no way connected with the medical industry. I worked in the electronic industry where everything designed had trade offs which we all logically understood. There is no logic in the hysteria surrounding the medical care we receive.
It does not look like our government will get out of healthcare , so as long as everyone covered is a legal US citizen no exceptions, might fly
It is a myth that some Americans do not have access to healthcare. ALL AMERICANS HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE! Not all Americans have health insurance. If you need treatment, the emergency rooms across America will not refuse you. That is the law. What is NOT the law is that all Americans are entitled to free sex/gender reassignment procedures (unless you are a member of the armed services or a prison inmate).There is a myriad of non-profit groups who give treatment and aid to those less fortunate with pre-existing conditions or who can’t afford to pay for a doctor. What I object to is the fact that all insurance plans must provide coverage for drug addiction and birth control. Neither of which I need nor want. But I have to pay for such coverage because the Federal Department of Health and Human Services requires that I have such coverage. We need to get rid of such mandates. My health insurance premiums are now nothing more that a backdoor health tax.
Who determines what patients are in need of this Pro Bono health care, and how will the physicians prove their patients exist and need this care when they file their income tax forms ?
The concept sounds good, but as we all know, there is much abuse of Medicare and Medicaid.
More welfare ! This nanny state welfare is going to break us. If they want less costly medical care then get the state and federal government out of medical care etc.
When is our govt. going to get the fact that the people don’t want govt provided insurance or anything envrything else. For many reasons, none the least being, voter fraud, population control, gun control, raring of our children…and the list goes on….don’t forget their complete detain of President Trump.
Why are the low income getting free medicaid when Seniors on Social Security are being charged $136 a month coming out of their SS. We don’t get a choice we have to pay it why are we not getting free healthcare too?
It sounds like a win win situation. A win for the doctors and a win for low income. BUT who picks up the tab? Someone has to pay/help pay for this wonderful solution to the problem. Low income have always had a place to go and the tax payers dollars, through the government, picked up the tab. So really, what is the difference now except that welfare, no matter what form is now celebrated instead of being looked down upon and encouraged.
I’m very pleased to see this information about the bill. I trust this site to give good sense information and advice about the viability of what’s being put forth. I hope this gets passed so that those truly in need get the assistance.
Citizens only
The determination of low income would then reside with the doctor’s practice, increasing overhead tremendously. Or would it continue to be a government function/taxpayer cost? On the surface, it is a great idea for patient care.
Let’s be honest. It is NOT “free”. Tax credits reduce tax liability, in other words taxes that would otherwise be collected. This proposal seems better than most, but it is not free for the American taxpayer.
how much more scam and waste will this add by doctors falsifying claims with less government looking over their shoulders? does this bill define “all Americans” or does it lump illegals in with true citizens.
Sounds good as long as it has checks for honesty on the part of physicians.
Yes But Only for American Citizens
I don’t even need to read the article. Nothings free, someone has to pay for it. Didn’t they try this with Obamacare?
When I got my first diagnosis of lung cancer almost 6 years ago and needed surgery to remove my upper left lobe. I was only working part time, did not have insurance, and I was over income for medicaid even though my husband was disabled. The thoracic surgeon charged me a very reduced fee and gave me as much time as I needed to pay it. The hospital where I had the surgery tried to get me accepted into the medicaid program, but couldn’t. So they enrolled me in their Financial Assistance Program (they write it off as a loss) which covered everything except the surgeon. After a month of living on state disability, I qualified for medicaid. In my state when you are on medicaid, you have to choose a health care plan from a list of available plans. I never had any issue getting care, or seeing a doctor.
I have since been forced to retire early. I am now on SSDI along with hubby, and we are “living” on about $1750 a month. We are enrolled in the medicare program, but also the financial assistance programs at our local hospitals to help cover co-pays.
Medicaid coverage is the best medical available (better if you can pick a heath care plan available through the medicaid system). Medicare pretty much sucks, even if you enroll in a plan. Unless you can afford to purchase the higher end health care plans, or are low enough income to qualify for medicaid as a supplement to your medicare. We are neither, so higher co-pays, no real dental coverage, limited eye wear, and if you need hearing aids, you are looking at about $699 per ear out of pocket just for the hearing aids themselves.
So, in my opinion, medicaid is already the best medical coverage you can get. If the government really wants to help low income citizens, reinstate the coverage’s that used to be available to medicare patience, the senior citizens, the disabled. I remember back about 20 years ago, my father got new dentures and hearing aides, and they were covered by medicare. Now you can get a dental checkup, and get your teeth cleaned once a year, but that’s it.
Every government program is filled with graft and corruption with only one solution that is viable and that is for the government to stop wasting our money and get out of health care altogether. The first thing I would do is shut down the FDA except as a watchdog against big Pharma and to restrict the hiring of any former government employees for at least 5 years. Get all agencies out of the lives of the common man, allow Free Speech when it comes to natural Cures of which there are far too many to even list here. Allow individuals only to buy health insurance no corporate health care plans, make insurance companies publish prices based upon types and costs, not mandates. Close all access by government to their own health care plans.
That would be a good start, let the Free Market decide the cost of insurance.
Why free??? Why not some sort of a reduced rates, if anything? We all have trouble paying for all of our necessities and healthcare. What about the families that are working hard to support their family, and are just getting by, or using credit to live a basic life. Why should they be forced to take from their family to pay for someone who isn’t willing to work for what they need. This country is becoming so unfair to it’s own hard working US CITIZENS!
There is no free medical care. Under this proposal I will be paying for my family healthcare plus another person. Government get out of the healthcare business. That is not the purpose for the government. Think how much taxes could be lower if government did what the founding fathers wanted. Defend the nation, not control the nation and give “free” stuff to all the non productive people
They have it now it’s called Medicaid (public aid)
Veteran, is absolutely right. The government needs to be a LIMITED GOVERNMENT like the founders setup or we are going to lose our freedom. There is no such thing as “FREE” !!! Someone or something has to PAY FOR IT! It WILL be taken from YOU AND ME taxpayers and control of all of it will be in the hands of corrupt government politicians!!! Currently a few left wing socialist state legislatures are introducing bills to make “CONCIERGE or RETAINER MEDICINE” illegal! It’s the left’s attempt to force our country into a corrupt socialist one payer system, so they can control us. If it’s FREE, then why is PAYER in the name “ONE PAYER SYSTEM”? NO THANKS! IT MATTERS WHO YOU VOTE FOR! CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND GET INVOLVED!
Why free??? Why not reduced rates?
If Many physicians are dropping out of the Medicaid program due to high administrative costs and procedural burdens then shouldn’t we at least ask three questions?
1. Why is the Medicaid program so costly and burdened with red tape?
2. Why can’t the Medicaid program be streamlined and made more cost effective so that “good” doctors would want to stay in the program?
3. What makes us think that this “free” program (which I’m NOT against at all) is going to be any less costly and full of procedural burdens than the existing program?
The government should not be in the health care business. Provide incentives for the free markets to allow competition in healthcare and all our cost will go down.
The bill seems to make good sense but there must be a way to establish the validity of deduction claims, once again introducing administrative processes to support compliance. The government is so involved in so many aspects of our lives that little if anything can be done without adding expenses to private companies or citizens.