Hip & Knee Surgery - Orthoworld

VIEWS ON THE NEWSIn this feature, we will highlight recent news or trends thatmight significantly impact your future as orthopaedic surgeons.We’ll print your views in subsequent issues.Below is a portion of a recent article describing something we are hearing more and moreabout. How will this be reconciled with the healthcare reforms currently under debate?As part of healthcare reform, different groups within the U.S. healthcare industry haveeither promised concessions to help reduce healthcare costs or are being targeted for feesthat will contribute to the financing of healthcare moving forward. For example,1) The hospital industry agreed to cut $155 billion in government costs overthe next ten years.2) The insurance industry agreed to remove preexisting condition limitationsfrom policies. Insurers would be assessed $6.7 billion in fees per yearfor ten years, based on their U.S. market shares.3) Pharmaceutical companies promised to spend more than $100 million toadvertise for reform and promised $80 billion in cost reductions over theten year period. In addition, as an industry they would be assessed a $2.3billion fee per year based on their market shares in the U.S.4) Medical device companies would pay $4 billion in fees per year based ontheir market shares in the U.S. (Those with sales below $5 million wouldpay nothing.)What do you think?Email your thoughts to usopn@orthoworld.com.46 ORTHOPAEDIC PRODUCT NEWS • November/December 2009