In his testimony, Mr. Priselac applauded provisions in the bill to expand health coverage for the uninsured, preserve the Disproportionate Share Hospital program, restrict physicians from referring patients to hospitals in which they have an ownership interest and protect graduate medical education to train the next generation of physicians.
Mr. Priselac noted, however, that the AHA continues to have concerns about tying the bill’s public insurance option to Medicare rates. He also said that incentives to reduce hospital readmissions should focus on “unplanned readmissions related to the initial admission.”
Mr. Priselac said that hospitals, hospitals that employ physicians and partnerships between hospitals and physicians should be allowed to form care organizations and to “share” in cost saving these organizations achieve for Medicare.
Read Mr. Priselac’s testimony before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee (pdf).
Read the AHA’s release about Mr. Priselac’s testimony.
