MOUNT OLIVE (12/01/05) – Dr. James Smith of Budd Lake and doctors in private practice across the country are urging patients to contact their Congressional representatives and U.S. Senators urging them to oppose the new Medicare program that is to go into effect January 1.

It’s a serious problem for doctors in private practice, Dr. Smith said. "Many will absolutely have to give up their practices if Congress moves ahead with the cuts proposed in this legislation," Smith said.

He explained that this law does not affect just Medicare patients. Medicare sets the price standard insurance companies pay for medical services and whatever price Medicare sets the other medical plans follow suit.

The overall costs for treatment in the new Medicare plan are cut by 26% over the next six years, according to the American Medical Assn. Dr. Smith predicted that few doctors in private practice will be able to afford that kind of cost cuts so it will mean fewer doctors in private practice to treat more patients.

He recommended patients visit www.ama-assn.org/go/grassroots on the internet for a complete explanation of the problems physicians will face and directions on contacting their Congressional representatives.