CPPR spokesman Dr. Donald Palmisano calls on Congress to continue addressing flaws in health care law
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights (CPPR) spokesman, Dr. Donald J. Palmisano, today said that a federal judge’s ruling on the unconstitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate could lead to new, patient-focused reforms to the American health care system.
Judge Rodger Vinson, from Pensacola, Florida, said the mandate is “unconstitutional and not severable” meaning that “the entire Affordable Care Act “must be declared void."
“Judge Vinson’s ruling on the individual mandate’s unconstitutionality could result in the unraveling of the Affordable Care Act, giving lawmakers a second chance at making patient- focused reforms to the American health care system,” said Dr. Palmisano. “CPPR has always defended the right of patients to make their own health care decisions and worked to protect the patient-physician relationship. If given a new start on health care reform, I hope we will build on the greatest health care system in the world instead of weakening it by undermining these values.”
Judge Vinson’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by governors and attorneys general in 26 states challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act passed last March. As the law stands, the mandate requires almost all Americans to purchase health insurance or suffer a financial penalty.
Dr. Palmisano also called on Congress to prioritize the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) when working to fix the health care bill:
“While the health care bill’s constitutionality is addressed in our nation’s courts, Congress must work to repeal the most egregious provisions of the Affordable Care Act, starting with the IPAB, which empowers a panel of 15 unelected bureaucrats to cut billions from the Medicare program every year. Lawmakers should also repeal the 1099 provision, which saddles small businesses—including many doctors’ offices—with loads of unnecessary new paperwork, taking more time and resources away from providing quality care to patients.”
About the Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights: The Coalition to Protect Patients Rights is a non-partisan, grassroots coalition made up of over 10,000 doctors, health care providers, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens who are dedicated to the implementation of patient-centered health care reform that will improve patient care. For more information, visit the Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights website at www.protectpatientsrights.org. Also, check out CPPR’s Facebook account here, and its Twitter feed at PatientsNOW.
CONTACT:
Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights (CPPR)
703-405-9407
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America District of Columbia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Public Policy/Government Healthcare Reform Congressional News/Views Public Policy General Health Managed Care
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