The AMA is Killing Primary Care (Not Quite Dead Yet?)

There's a lot that the public doesn't see.  In fact, most physicians don't know the intricacies of what's going on that is slowly leading to their demise.

There was a great article that describes the disparity of income between primary care physicians and specialists, and the broader impact this has on our health system.  It also uncovers how the AMA is killing primary care systematically.

Brian Klepper did a great job with this back in December, and I think it's worth checking out his post on the subject.

Bottom line:

• The AMA has played a significant role in the destruction of primary care.
  
• The RUC (Relative Value Update Committee) of the AMA that heavily influences reimbursement rates is predominated by interventional and procedural specialists.
  
• Some say that the secretive nature and the dynamics of the RUC smack of anti-competitive behavior.
  
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) listen to the RUC recommendations.
  
• Primary care specialities are paid much less, to the point of not being able to survive.
  
• Medical students don't want to go into primary care, because they have no chance of paying off the $100k to $200k in debt they've incurred.
  
• Society suffers.  The healthiest countries have 70-80% of physicians in primary care, and 20-30% are specialists.  It's reversed here.
  

Read Brian Klepper's post here.

If you're not pissed after reading it, check to see if you have a pulse.