Committee looks at taxing Michigan doctors to help avert 12 percent Medicaid cuts

**Jason** · 10-13-2009, 08:06 AM

Michigan State Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, said today that the Michigan House-Senate Conference Committee, which is looking for ways to erase a $2.8 billion budget deficit for fiscal 2010, is considering imposing a 3 percent provider tax on more than 15,000 physicians who practice in the state.

McDowell said the physician tax could raise $300 million to $400 million and help reduce 8 percent to 12 percent Medicaid cuts, which are being discussed in the conference committee.

The state Legislature must approve a budget before Oct. 1 or face a government shutdown.

The possible physician tax, known as a Quality Assurance Assessment Program fee, would be used to increase federal matching share dollars for the state’s Medicaid program. For every $1 the state raises, the federal government matches with another $1.72.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...REE/909229990#

bry623 · 10-14-2009, 10:19 AM

Mommy, why can't I go to see Dr. Jolly?
Well Billy, she had to move to another state because we live in a state controlled by a bunch of douche bags.

**-=Rousseau=-** · 10-14-2009, 12:06 PM

I love how they might call it the "Quality Assurance Assessment Program" fee. Like taxing doctors has any effect on the quality of their care... Economically, that makes no sense at all. If doctors earn less, there will be fewer doctors. Simple as that. Fewer doctors = worse service, since the doctors that are there have to either a) see fewer people or b) spend less time per person.

Of course, the government doesn't care. It just wants to make healthcare "cheaper" even if it really isn't, so that it looks good and people vote for them. Healthcare Q/$ is important too. Decreasing both parts in order to decrease $ isn't good. Cutting back on some other less important programs might free up some money for healthcare. Perhaps working to lessen the power of the UAW et al would bring the motor co.s that make up a large part of their economy into profitability and help them even more. Paying people $50/hr for a task that Japanese workers do for $12-$20/hr, arguably with better results too, doesn't make any sense. Not that the wage should be dropped to $20, but some drop could help lower unemployment and bring GM into profitability.

10-13-2009, 08:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason BANNED Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,496 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	Committee looks at taxing Michigan doctors to help avert 12 percent Medicaid cuts Michigan State Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, said today that the Michigan House-Senate Conference Committee, which is looking for ways to erase a $2.8 billion budget deficit for fiscal 2010, is considering imposing a 3 percent provider tax on more than 15,000 physicians who practice in the state. McDowell said the physician tax could raise $300 million to $400 million and help reduce 8 percent to 12 percent Medicaid cuts, which are being discussed in the conference committee. The state Legislature must approve a budget before Oct. 1 or face a government shutdown. The possible physician tax, known as a Quality Assurance Assessment Program fee, would be used to increase federal matching share dollars for the state’s Medicaid program. For every $1 the state raises, the federal government matches with another $1.72. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...REE/909229990# __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh Love to ONE, friendship to a FEW, and good will to ALL.

10-14-2009, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
bry623 Manager, The Conversation Pit/Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NW Territory circa 1787 Posts: 11,715 OS: winxp pro sp2	Re: Committee looks at taxing Michigan doctors to help avert 12 percent Medicaid cuts Mommy, why can't I go to see Dr. Jolly? Well Billy, she had to move to another state because we live in a state controlled by a bunch of douche bags. __________________ "If you aren't a liberal when you're 20, you have no heart. If you aren't a conservative when you are 50, you have no brain"

10-14-2009, 12:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
-=Rousseau=- Biker, Geek and Jock Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nashvegas Posts: 827 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate My System	Re: Committee looks at taxing Michigan doctors to help avert 12 percent Medicaid cuts I love how they might call it the "Quality Assurance Assessment Program" fee. Like taxing doctors has any effect on the quality of their care... Economically, that makes no sense at all. If doctors earn less, there will be fewer doctors. Simple as that. Fewer doctors = worse service, since the doctors that are there have to either a) see fewer people or b) spend less time per person. Of course, the government doesn't care. It just wants to make healthcare "cheaper" even if it really isn't, so that it looks good and people vote for them. Healthcare Q/$ is important too. Decreasing both parts in order to decrease $ isn't good. Cutting back on some other less important programs might free up some money for healthcare. Perhaps working to lessen the power of the UAW et al would bring the motor co.s that make up a large part of their economy into profitability and help them even more. Paying people $50/hr for a task that Japanese workers do for $12-$20/hr, arguably with better results too, doesn't make any sense. Not that the wage should be dropped to $20, but some drop could help lower unemployment and bring GM into profitability. __________________