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1991.05.09 :  Advisory Committee on Medicare-Physician Relationshiops

Contact: Bob Hardy 202-245-6145
May 9, 1991

       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., announced today the
appointment of seven physicians to the Advisory Committee on
Medicare-Physician Relationships.  The committee will be charged
with suggesting changes to lessen the administrative burden that
medical doctors encounter in dealing with the Medicare program.
       The committee will be chaired by Nancy E. Gary, M.D., senior
medical advisor of the Health Care Financing Administration. 
Physician selectees, representing the disciplines of primary care,
internal medicine and surgery, are:
       o  Lanny R. Copeland, family practice, Moultrie, Ga.  
       o  Ulton G. Hodgin Jr., internal medicine, Albuquerque, N.M. 
       o  Edward A. Rankin, orthopedics, Washington, D.C.  
       o  Barbara Ann P. Rockett, general surgery, Boston, Mass.  

     o  Mark C. Rogers, critical care medicine, Baltimore, Md.  
       o  Richard B. Tompkins, rheumatology, Rochester, Minn.  
       o  Susan L. Turney, internal medicine, Marshfield, Wis.   
       The advisory committee will report directly to the secretary
through HCFA Administrator Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D.  
       Procedures and policies that directly relate to physicians
services for Medicare beneficiaries will be examined to assure that
they promote economical, high quality care. 
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       "We take seriously our obligation to assure the quality of
care provided beneficiaries," Dr. Wilensky said.  "And, we want to
use taxpayer funds prudently, getting the best quality for the
money we spend.  But, we also must avoid policies that are
needlessly intrusive or burdensome."
       Advising the department on ways of easing the "hassle
factor" that physicians associate with Medicare is a major concern. 
Relieving Medicare practitioners of undue red tape is also a marked
interest that will get the group's full attention.
       A final report on Medicare policies is expected to be issued
at year's end.  The report should result from four or five public
meetings, and will be limited to a review of existing Medicare
policies.  This report should complement the work of the
legislatively mandated Practicing Physicians' Advisory Council,
which advises the secretary on proposed physician service changes
in regulations and carrier manual instructions.
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