Association of Independent Doctors (AID) Statement Regarding Medicare Claims Data Transparency Legislation

WINTER PARK, Fla. and WASHINGTON, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Independent Doctors (AID) issued a statement today, regarding legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley, R-IA, and Ron Wyden, D-OR, and co-sponsored by Sen. Bennet, D-CO, Sen. Rockefeller, D-WV, and Sen. Whitehouse, D-RI, to make Medicare claims data available to the public. 

AID's statement follows:

On June 18, 2013, Senator Grassley and Senator Wyden introduced the Medicare Data Access for Transparency and Accountability Act (Medicare DATA Act).[1]  The Act would require Department of Health and Human Services, to make available a searchable Medicare payment database that the public can access at no cost.  The database would include the amount paid to each provider of services, the services for which payment is made, and the location and identity of the service provider.[2]

It is important for consumers to have transparency, both as to how their tax dollars are being spent, and to better enable them to make health care choices.  Transparency can help control costs, save consumers and the government money, and prevent abuse.

As AID previously noted, during the past 10 years, health care costs per family of four, have more than doubled, and are now in excess of $20,000 per year.[3]  Press reports indicate substantially higher rates charged by hospitals than by independent practices -- for the same or similar procedures.[4]  The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Report on Medicare And The Health Care Delivery System confirmed that hospital pricing is considerably higher than at freestanding (independent) physician practices.[5]  Indeed MedPAC concluded,"If the same service can be safely provided in different settings, a prudent purchaser should not pay more for that service in one setting than in another."[6] 

An important step in empowering consumers and lowering health care costs, is providing greater transparency.  Accordingly, we urge expeditious passage of the Medicare DATA Act.  

About Association of Independent Doctors (AID)
The Association of Independent Doctors (AID) is a national trade association established to further the interest of independent doctors. More information about AID is available at: www.aid-us.org.  AID is a 501(c)(6) entity.

[1] See http://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/grassley-wyden-introduce-medicare-claims-data-transparency-legislation and http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=46262.

[2] See http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1180.

[3] See http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/association-of-independent-doctors-aid-comments-on-aha-release-regarding-hospital-mergers-212349071.html and http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/association-of-independent-doctors-aid-statement-regarding-medpac-report-211981931.html.  

[4] Id.

[5] MedPAC Report at pp. xii, 32 and 33.  See http://www.medpac.gov/documents/Jun13_EntireReport.pdf.

[6] Id at p. xii.

SOURCE Association of Independent Doctors (AID)