DALLAS, November 7, 2005 -- The American Medical Association (AMA) at its semi-annual policymaking meeting voted to oppose Medicare pay-for-performance initiatives (such as "value-based purchasing programs") that do not meet the association's principles and guidelines for Pay-for-Performance.

"The AMA today sends a clear message that pay-for-performance must be focused on quality and be patient-centered, fair and ethical," said John Armstrong, MD, AMA Trustee.

The five AMA principles for fair and ethical pay-for-performance programs make it clear that these programs must:
* ensure quality of care;
* foster the patient/physician relationship;
* offer voluntary physician participation;
* use accurate data and fair reporting; and
* provide fair and equitable program incentives.

The AMA also reiterated the call for Congress to fix the flawed Medicare physician payment formula. Cuts of 26 percent over six years are scheduled to begin on January 1, unless Congress acts. An AMA survey found that 38 percent of physicians will be forced to limit the number of Medicare patients in their practices if these harsh cuts go into effect.

"America's seniors deserve a Medicare program that covers the cost of providing care to seniors, so that there will be enough physicians to care for our seniors and our aging baby boomers in the years to come," said Dr. Armstrong.

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