That attitude could translate into an improvement for healthcare providers and medical companies after U.S. consumers cut back on health services in recent years [...]]]> Americans are more optimistic about their ability to pay for healthcare services in the coming months, particularly for elective surgeries, according to a survey issued on Thursday.

That attitude could translate into an improvement for healthcare providers and medical companies after U.S. consumers cut back on health services in recent years because of the recession.

Companies from health insurers to medical device makers have assumed that patients will head back to the doctor’s office in a significant way this year, but there has been scant evidence of that so far.

According to the Thomson Reuters Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index, Americans were more confident they could afford healthcare in the next three months after reporting greater difficulty handling medical bills in the past three months.

“There seems to be a return to perhaps cautious optimism about the next three months,” said Julie Shook, product director for the Healthcare & Science business at Thomson Reuters. “They are predicting a significant improvement in their ability to pay for and access healthcare services.”

The Thomson Reuters Pulse Healthcare Survey polls more than 100,000 U.S. households annually on healthcare behaviors. The Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index is based on responses from a survey subset of 3,000 respondents each month. source:reuters.com/news/health

The U.S. healthcare reform law will worsen a shortage of physicians as millions of newly insured patients seek care, the Association of American Medical Colleges said on Thursday.

The group’s Center for Workforce Studies released new estimates that showed shortages would be 50 percent worse in 2015 than forecast.

“While previous [...]]]>

The U.S. healthcare reform law will worsen a shortage of physicians as millions of newly insured patients seek care, the Association of American Medical Colleges said on Thursday.

The group’s Center for Workforce Studies released new estimates that showed shortages would be 50 percent worse in 2015 than forecast.

“While previous projections showed a baseline shortage of 39,600 doctors in 2015, current estimates bring that number closer to 63,000, with a worsening of shortages through 2025,” the group said in a statement.

“The United States already was struggling with a critical physician shortage and the problem will only be exacerbated as 32 million Americans acquire health care coverage, and an additional 36 million people enter Medicare.”

Medicare is the federal health insurance plan for people over the age of 65, and census projections show that group growing as the giant baby boomer generation born from 1946 to 1964 hits retirement age.

The U.S. healthcare reform plan signed into law by President Barack Obama in March is designed to provide insurance to 32 million Americans who now lack it.

The AAMC projected a shortage of 33,100 physicians in specialties such as cardiology, oncology and emergency medicine in 2015.

It calls for Congress to increase funding to train new doctors. “The number of medical school students continues to increase, adding 7,000 graduates every year over the next decade,” the AAMC said.

It said at least 15 percent more were needed.

Other groups, such as the nonprofit Rand Corporation and the Institute of Medicine, have also projected various physician shortages. source: www.reuters.com/article

Obama struck back at conservative opponents as lawmakers returned home for their August break facing an increasingly rancorous battle over his top domestic legislative [...]]]>
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama accused his critics on Saturday of resorting to “outlandish rumors” and “misleading information” aimed at derailing his efforts to overhaul the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system.

Obama struck back at conservative opponents as lawmakers returned home for their August break facing an increasingly rancorous battle over his top domestic legislative priority. A deal on healthcare has yet to be struck in Congress.

“As we draw close to finalizing — and passing — real health insurance reform, the defenders of the status quo and political point-scorers in Washington are growing fiercer in their opposition,” Obama said, without naming names, in his weekly radio and Internet address.

“Some have been using misleading information to defeat what they know is the best chance of reform we have ever had,” Obama said, adding it was critical for Americans to have all the facts as they meet their lawmakers in their home districts.

Obama adviser David Axelrod has coached Senate Democrats on how to deal with angry opponents of the healthcare proposals during a month long August recess.

Obama’s aides and fellow Democrats have charged that protests staged at some “town hall”-style meetings held by congressional Democrats have been orchestrated by Republican- and industry-backed groups and conservative talk-show hosts, and are calling for a more civil dialogue.

Obama’s push for healthcare reform, which seeks to provide coverage to nearly 46 million uninsured Americans, rein in healthcare costs and regulate insurance practices has been assailed by critics over its $1 trillion cost and scope. Republicans call it a government takeover of healthcare that will drive up the deficit.

Democrats who control Congress have feuded among themselves over how to pay for it, and Obama’s public approval rating has slipped as the debate drags on.

Obama says the package is vital to a U.S. economic recovery. No Republicans have backed the proposals being crafted in Congress.

“Let me explain what reform will mean for you. And let me start by dispelling the outlandish rumors that reform will promote euthanasia, cut Medicaid or bring about a government takeover of health care. That’s simply not true,” Obama said in his Saturday address.

“There are those who … are trying to exploit differences or concerns for political gain,” he added.

Obama acknowledged some differences remained to be worked out but insisted that “we are moving toward a broad consensus” and reaffirmed his goal of getting the healthcare revamp enacted by the end of the year.

He will keep up his own public relations offensive on healthcare next week when he holds a town hall meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
source: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0742097620090808