TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution 102 (A-07)
Subject: Antitrust Relief
Introduced by: Harris County Medical Society
Referred to: Reference Committee on Financial and Organizational Affairs
Whereas, Health plans can develop their payment strategies for physicians; and
Whereas, Health plans can dominate and even monopolize health care markets; and
Whereas, Health plans can make public their fee schedules allowing competitors to have access to them; and
Whereas, Individual physicians have little to no negotiating power over their fees, mostly getting a "take it or leave it" response to attempts to negotiate; and
Whereas, Now and in the future there will be a shortage of physicians; and
Whereas, The prevalence of reduced payments are causing the most qualified physicians to retire early rather than continue to practice in the onerous environment; and
Whereas, Texas Physicians have had to close their practices or file for bankruptcy because reimbursements are insufficient to cover costs and salaries for physicians; and
Whereas, Physicians are not allowed by law to collectively bargain with health plans, giving them complete control over physician fees; and
Whereas, The American Medical Association claims it has been working on this issue since 1993 (H-380.987) with no improvement in physicians' negotiating conditions; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Texas Medical Association Delegation to the AMA, by resolution to the AMA House of Delegates, request the AMA to make physician antitrust relief a top legislative priority.
Relevant TMA Policy
160.012 Antitrust Laws . The Texas Medical Association, along with other state medical associations, the American Medical Association and national medical specialty societies, supports national efforts to address appropriate federal antitrust reforms and to provide the foundation for fair contract negotiations designed to preserve clinical autonomy and patient interest and to redirect medical decision making to patients and physicians (Rees. 410-A99).
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007