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AAO leader outlines economic realities to ASCRS members
SAN FRANCISCO — Speaking as an invited guest during the opening session of the ASCRS meeting, David W. Parke II, MD, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Academy of Ophthalmology outlined the realities of health care economics.
 David W. Parke II |
Specifically, Dr. Parke noted that annual spending on healthcare will top $3.1 billion in 2009, or more than 17% of gross domestic product. The amount spent on American health care is far greater than the rest of the industrialized world: no other country spends more than 10% of its gross domestic product on health care costs.
"We as a society, and especially we as a medical group, have never faced up to what we should be spending on health care," Dr. Parke said.
Yet, there is an opportunity for ophthalmologist to make a difference, Dr. Parke said. The recent economic stimulus package passed into law promises $787 billion to health care, $480 billion of which is earmarked for physician services.
Dr. Parke noted that professional ophthalmic societies have traditionally placed high emphasis on advocacy, and have proven successful in impacting health care policy.
"We do have what it takes to make a difference in the reforms, but it will take all of the partners working together with the house of medicine to make a difference," Dr. Parke said.