From the heart

American cardiologists believe the recently passed health care reform will have a negative effect on both their cardiology patients and their practices, according to a survey of more than 225 cardiologists and cardiology professionals conducted in late March by MedAxiom.

One of the survey respondents noted: “We will be unable to meet the influx of patients into the system. We already are unable to meet primary care needs. There has never in the history of the country been a government program that hasn’t far exceeded its costs. There is no reason to think this one will not do the same. The end result will be the government will look to come back and look to cut medical spending somewhere else, i.e. Medicare."

SURVEY FINDINGS
• 71% of those who answered the survey believe the newly-enacted legislation will hurt their ability to serve their patients.

• 81% said they believe the law will hurt their overall practice, with 83% predicting that their revenue will decrease.

• The numbers are statistically significant, because 68% said they were opposed to the health care reform bill prior to its passage by Congress.

• The survey also found that 55% believe their patient loads will increase under the new law, with 79% of those responding saying the legislation will be detrimental to the field of cardiology.