Advocacy Impact - Full Throttle

Lafayette, LA - July 15, 2008 - Lafayette, LA - July 15, 2008 - The Schumacher Group commitment to “making an impact in health care” showed itself in full force recently, thanks to physicians, nurses, TSG employees and many others.

It took the entire TSG village, focused on a company-wide advocacy effort, to help stave off a drastic cut in Medicare reimbursement for health care delivered to seniors, military personnel and their families. Together with many other voices, TSG’s response made a significant difference in overriding The President’s veto of HR 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

“This is fantastic news,” said TSG President and Chief Medical Officer Randy Pilgrim MD, FACEP, FAAFP. “With this measure, health care providers can continue to provide necessary medical care to millions of Medicare patients.”

For months, TSG’s website, provider portal and employee portal repeatedly urged “Take Action Now!” In response to thousands of emails, letters and phone calls, both the House of Representatives and the Senate overwhelmingly voted to prevent Medicare cuts before the July Fourth holiday. Voters continued to express strong support for the bill, undeterred even by persistent veto threats from The White House. After President Bush’s veto on July 15, Congress once again voted decisively to support the measure - this time by an even wider margin.

“What a remarkable experience - the epitome of teamwork under pressure when it matters most,” said Pilgrim. “Our response deeply reflects TSG’s commitment to making a difference in health care.”

Schumacher Group staff echoed the sentiments. “You deserve many thanks,” wrote one of several employees. “I care for a very sick, elderly mother, and am sadly reminded daily of the expense and struggles of geriatric care. I’m so personally grateful that the Senate, and the House before it, listened to our pleas - and so very proud to be part of a caring organization where the leaders and employees walk the talk.”

Pilgrim said, “It was especially gratifying to have the message amplified by many others who share our concerns.” In particular, he referenced EDPMA, The Emergency Department Practice Management Association. EDPMA is a nationwide organization that advocates for quality emergency care in a sustainable health care system, its membership touching a majority of America’s emergency department patients each year.

“Together, we’ve seized the opportunity to speak with a positive voice,” Pilgrim noted. “We made a significant impact for patients in our health care system. There is much more to do, but this is a critical step in support of our mission.”

HR 6331 addresses a number of issues. Among those: * prevents a 10.6% paycut in the Medicare Physician payment fix by extending the current .05% update though the end of 2008, with a 1.1% positive update for 2009;

• extends the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) for two years, increasing the participation bonus to 2 percent for 2009 and 2010;

• reapplies the budget neutrality adjustment for recent RVU changes to the conversion factor rather than work RVUs, effective 2009 and

• encourage use of qualified e-prescribing systems through a variety of incentives.

The Schumacher Group’s Guiding Principles: Making an Impact in Health Care through Excellent Medicine, Excellent Service, Excellent Business and Excellent Character.

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Thanks in advance for your contribution to this effort.