Keynoter highlights importance of health care reform

Rep. John Shadegg, R.-Ariz., spoke to attendees at ASCRS from his home during yesterday's keynote address.

PHILADELPHIA — The health care system in the United States is in crisis because of government interference, according to a congressman with a keen interest in reform of Medicare and other programs.

“Health care reform is critical for the nation,” said Rep John Shadegg, R-Ariz. He was the keynote speaker at the opening session of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery here.

Speaking by live satellite hookup from his home state, Mr. Shadegg said the weakened state of the physician-patient relationship in the United States is due to well-meant but misguided governmental tampering with health care.

A patient's bill of rights and reform of long term health care are sorely needed, he said, and he has been involved in championing both efforts in Congress.

Mr. Shadegg spoke about the disillusionment expressed to him by many physicians in his constituency. He said doctors have told him they no longer find medicine rewarding because of the bureaucracies they deal with, both in government and private insurance.

The government has placed employers and insurance companies between physicians and their patients, Mr. Shadegg said, but it does not have to be that way.

“If we look at what has caused these problems, we can get back to the way it was before,” he said.

He is championing the idea of changing the way employers support the health care system. Instead of providing the same plan for all employees, companies could give employees a certain amount of money to use toward health care and allow the employees to choose their own plan. This would involve the employee directly in shopping for a plan that serves him or her well for a reasonable price.

Mr. Shadegg urged physicians to get involved in health care reform, both through support of ASCRS and through their own dealings with their elected representatives. He said only through involvement can physicians help to shape the reforms the U.S. health care system currently needs.