Health briefs
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Medicare cuts to limit service
The American Medical Association is warning that Hawai'i stands to lose $34 million in Medicare payments over the next three years if Congress doesn't restore the next round of cuts expected to be announced Nov. 1.
Association president Dr. Yank Coble Jr. said the cuts will force more physicians to not accept new Medicare patients. Medicare is the federal health care insurance program which covers Americans age 65 and older, as well as the disabled.
Dr. Calvin Wong, president of the affiliated Hawai'i Medical Association, said if doctors cannot cover the cost of treating their patients, there will be problems for senior citizens and the entire community and not just for physicians.
"It's a community issue" when people find it harder to get medical care, Wong said. "It will make it increasing difficult to find people who can take of them."
Wong favors changing the Medicare system to make it more efficient rather than cutting the amount of money reimbursed for patient care. U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said Congress can act to reduce the scheduled 5.4 percent cuts to Medicare payments. The Hawai'i congressman had earlier introduced a measure to restore the cuts.
But the House measure that is awaiting Senate action combines another proposal for a prescription drug plan, Abercrombie said. He said private insurers are expressing doubt about the proposal, which makes him believe that combining the two ideas dooms them both.
"I just think it's a disservice both to the seniors and the physicians who want to service them," Abercrombie said. "They are jeopardizing the healthcare for seniors in Hawai'i for failing to stick with the issue."
Bone marrow drive under way
People who are interested in registering as bone marrow donors will be able to register this week beginning today at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.
The St. Francis Medical Center Hawai'i Bone Marrow Donor Registry will hold drives as part of the 38th annual Food and New Products Show.
Donors must be between ages 18 and 60, in generally good health and provide a small sample of blood for tissue typing.
Times for registry are: 5 to 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 547-6154.
