 |
 |
Now is the time to get out those addresses etc. for congress: we have a target of opportunity! ERISA legislation has created a legal barrier which protects MCO's from litigation and legal responsibility for medical decisions made by non-physician executives . Legislation has been introduced to remove this exemption and allow liability litigation against MCO management thus forcing them to adhere to standards of medical care. It is called the Norwood Bill and has over 200 sponsors in the HOUSE; however, the Republican Leadership has been reluctant to embrace it. Do we want some beancounter in a 3 piece suit telling us that his MCO won't pay for an expensive new drug or that we are too old to invest resources for expensive surgery or devices? As long as this ERISA exemption exists, MCO's can do what they want (not what we need) and be protected from liability for medical decisions masquerading as "administrative" decisions. Ken Janis, MD