Breaking Out of the PAC
Medicare rules are tough to follow, even for professionals immersed in the world of coding, compliance and reimbursement. But if providers are struggling to monitor changes and understand the if-thens of Medicare policy, imagine the brain cramps lawmakers must suffer when they bone up on rules before making a (semi)informed decision on Medicare reform. With limited knowledge of the system, should lawmakers be entrusted with the future of Medicare?
That's what President Obama is weighing as part of health care reform, according to the Washington Post's Ezra Klein. President Obama has indicated the possibility of turning the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) into an executive authority that would basically give free range to dictate Medicare policy. MedPAC currently explains complex rules and offers recommendations to Congress, but few proposals survive the lion's den of lobbyists and make it to the floor, Klein noted.
If MedPAC earns a spot on the executive branch, it will actually have the power to enact change. Proposals would still need Congressional approval, but filibusters and other hang-ups would be out of the picture, according to Klein. And with lawmakers already looking to MedPAC for advice, anything the commission says will probably go.
Klein noted the benefits of having MedPAC make decisions -- namely, the commissioners have more expertise than the average lawmaker. So instead of battling with complex and conflicting rules, health care organizations may finally have a Medicare system that makes sense. But what about checks and balances? If MedPAC becomes the ultimate authority, will there be any room for debate? Sure, Congress can always say "nay," but will lawmakers simply trust the experts and push policy through?
I'm curious to see what HIMers, especially those who deal with Medicare regularly, have to say on the subject. Are you familiar with MedPAC? Do you agree with its past recommendations? Do you think giving the commission more power will be a positive change for health care?