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There are growing suggestions that some HMOs are using financial pressure to make larger profits by restricting Americans ability to get superior medical treatment. President Clinton has attacked insurance firms for promoting so-called "drive-through" baby deliveries. In a weekly radio address, he said it was dangerous when plans refuse to pay for more than a 24-hour stay for mothers and newborns. He urged congress to act quickly to guarantee 48-hour postpartum hospital stays.
A Boston television station used two surveys to move behind reports that simply summarize several sides of an issue. Polling allowed them to discover how doctors really feel and how many patients have been impacted by the changes.
"We were looking to find out what people think of the recent changes and managed care. We also realized that no one had heard from the doctors. There were a lot of perceptions of what doctors thought, but what did they really think?" --- Candy Altman News Director, WCVB-TV, Boston
Here are key excerpts of their survey of 200 Massachusetts physicians. The study found specific evidence that plan officers' pressure has become part of the decision making for some physicians.
Here are key excerpts of the poll of 411 Massachusetts adults. At this time, the general public was not as aware of differences.
By large numbers, Americans were satisified with their health insurance in November, 1995. HMO enrollees seemed happier about their plan costs. They were also somewhat more likely to report dissatisfaction with their plan.
Here are more articles about health care quality that you can refer to in your past issues of THE RUNDOWN.
Copyright 1995, 1996 by Standish Publishing Company. Photocopying, reproduction or quotation is prohibited without the permission of the publisher. THE RUNDOWN (ISSN:0035-9912) is published weekly. Mailing address: Box 335, Ardmore, PA, 19003-0335.
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