Dear Mr. President,

I ask you to take a 21.2% cut in your salary.

I refer to the 21.2% cut in physician reimbursement rates due to take effect on April 1, 2010 under the Medicare program. I have no choice but to DISCONTINUE TAKING NEW MEDICARE PATIENTS.

As a Podiatric Physician, I was extremely disheartened and frustrated by the failure of the Senate to either delay the impending 21.2% Medicare fee cut or follow the lead of the House and pass meaningful Medicare physician payment reform before leaving Washington on March 26. The future of Medicare and the health of my Medicare patients rely on the ability of qualified physicians to provide care. And the future success of my practice as a Medicare provider depends on reliable and fair reimbursement for my services.

My colleagues and I hear repeated commitments from members of Congress to eliminate the SGR and enact a system that more fairly reimburses physicians for their services.

Mr. President, I’ve been talking to my patients about this, and so far, I have not found a single patient who is willing to take a 21% cut in their Social Security check each month, nor a single patient who is willing to take a 21% cut in their paycheck each month.

The repeated failure of congress to take decisive action on physician fees has shaken my confidence in the Medicare program.

I have no choice but to DISCONTINUE TAKING NEW MEDICARE PATIENTS.

Other Podiatric Physicians feel the same way.

Where are these Medicare patients going to go for their health care?

It has been years since there has been stability in physician reimbursements. There are so very many Medicare age patients that can’t find a doctor to take care of their medical needs.

If Congress doesn’t fix the Medicare physician reimbursement system within the next few months, I will have to discontinue caring for my CURRENT MEDICARE PATIENTS.

Mr. President, I ask you to take a 21.2% cut in your salary.

That will make physicians and Medicare patients feel sooooo much better, while the patients search for a physician who will accept Medicare.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chris Albritton
Abilene, TX