The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons favors the State Health Flexibility Act, H.R. 4160, as a way to bring decision-making regarding medical care for the poor back to the states. Currently the federal government has strict criteria that must be followed and this often leads to higher wasteful spending by both the federal and state governments.
The taxpayers are overburdened as it is, and the greater Medicaid spending that would result if PPACA is fully implemented will be unsustainable.
With this Act, there would be less federal bureaucracy and states would be able to innovate.
The only stipulation is that the federal Medicaid funds be used for health care for the poor and uninsured residents.
States will have to live within their means and will not be able to look to the federal government for more funding in the future if our costs run over. This will force state accountability.
The AAPS wants to do everything to preserve the private interaction between physician and patient, and The State Health Flexibility Act is a step in the right direction.
Sincerely,
Alieta Eck, MD
President, AAPS
