Providers Applaud Supreme Court and Call on Congress to Address Remaining Issues

On June 25, 2015, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision upholding the provision of subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance on federally-funded exchanges. Since then, politicians, providers, policymakers, media and advocacy groups have all offered their responses to the Supreme Court’s decision.  Provider groups have largely applauded the decision, citing the fact that more people have obtained coverage due to the subsidies.  The American Hospital Association released a statement in the wake of the decision: “Today is a significant victory for protecting access to care for many of those who need it.”  The American Medical Association (“AMA”) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (“AAMC”) also commended the Supreme Court decision as an important step in improving access to care.

Despite their praise for the decision, provider organizations like the AMA and AAMC were quick to point out the remaining issues that have yet to be addressed.  Specifically, the AAMC called on Congress to address the serious issue of physician shortage.  According to AAMC, the United States faces an imminent shortage of 46,000-90,000 doctors, both primary care physicians and specialists. The AMA, on the other hand, emphasized the need for focus on implementation and refinement related to electronic health record meaningful use, medical record coding revisions, and value-based payments.  Ultimately, provider organizations see increased access to coverage as a step in the right direction, but overall the work toward improving the health care delivery system is far from complete.

The law firm of Dressman Benzinger LaVelle has offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, Crestview Hills, Kentucky, and Louisville, Kentucky.