AMA trustee says the U.S. healthcare system is in a state of crisis
American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees member Scott Ferguson, MD, a diagnostic radiologist in West Memphis, Arkansas, and member of the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees, explains how the combination of new healthcare policies under the Trump Administration—and longstanding issues that were never fully addressed under previous —are accelerating what the AMA views as a growing healthcare crisis.
Medicare physician payments have decreased by more than 30% since 2000. Meanwhile, insurance providers' prior authorization requirements have significantly contributed to frustration, delays, and denials of care. Policies under the Trump administration, including massive cuts to healthcare research funding, have further disrupted the field, leaving many experienced researchers out of work.
“We are a healthcare system in crisis,” explained Ferguson. “We are in a crisis with healthcare research, administrative burdens, and with payment. Access for our patients is hurt. The future with research is hurt because researchers are being told what they can and cannot research and we are losing the brain trust with people who have been in healthcare for 30 years. It is the American people who will suffer from not having access to the research or the care.”
Read more in the story AMA leader outlines major threats facing U.S. healthcare: Payment cuts, AI denials, immigration bottlenecks and corporate takeovers.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]