[2cool4U]

Medicare rates are lower than private insurers in my region, often by a substantial amount. Medicaid rates are even lower still, less than half Medicare for many imaging studies. Beyond that, there's free care available to those without any coverage, which varies by region and hospital.

The AMA thinks any decrease in per person reimbursement to physicians will be offset by having a greater number of patients covered by insurance. I'm not sure anyone knows what will happen to total physician payments. But net income is likely to decrease simply because most physicians will see increases in their income tax. If reimbursements should happen to fall and taxes increase, I predict a rise in physician retirements. Not en masse, just a gradual shift, especially if retirement funds continue to recover.

I predict longer waits for medical care in that scenario. The only sound advice I can give is to know the issues and vote in local, state and nation elections accordingly.

-tc-