| NOVEMBER 19, 2003 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| CONTACT: Sally Garneski, 312-202-5409 or Cory Petty312-202-5328, E-Mail: pressinquiry@facs.org |
MEDIA ALERT
from the American College of Surgeons http://www.facs.org
ACS Applauds Medicare Conference Agreement and Urges Congress to Pass Medicare Bill Immediately
CHICAGO--The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and its 65,000 members applaud the House and Senate conferees for their work on the Prescription Drug and Medicare Modernization Act conference report. The College strongly supports provisions to avert further Medicare payment cuts and to provide positive physician payment updates in 2004 and 2005.
"The American College of Surgeons urges Republicans and Democrats alike to vote yes on H.R.1," Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director, said.. "By supporting this bill, lawmakers make great strides toward ensuring patients' access to surgeons and all physicians nationwide.
"Not only does this legislation halt the cut in physician payments, it includes important provisions to lighten the regulatory burden on doctors who participate in Medicare," Dr. Russell explained. "Specifically, H.R.1 will better target current Medicare education dollars to provide needed outreach and education on the complexities of Medicare billing for physicians and health care providers."
Dr. Russell added that, "America's seniors and disabled patients deserve accessible and affordable health care. I commend the conferees for their commitment to our patients and urge Congress to pass H.R.1 without delay."
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients.
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Online November 19, 2003