The Urgent Need to Reform Medicare's Physician Payment System


 

Publication Date: December 2006

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): John S. O'Shea

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Health care; Medicare

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Congress should move toward a defined-contribution system in Medicare, at least for new retirees; reject any regulatory scheme that increases the already heavy regulatory burdens on physicians, including pay-for-performance schemes that would likely be counterproductive; and promote value through price transparency, information, and intensified competition among doctors and other medical professionals.