I really am not sure what this means in terms of HCR, i see it as more proof of why its needed but the wingnuts will be all over it.
The Mayo Clinic, praised by President Barack Obama as a national model for efficient health care, will stop accepting Medicare patients as of tomorrow at one of its primary-care clinics in Arizona, saying the U.S. government pays too little.
Mayo Clinic
A Medicare patient who chooses to stay at Mayo’s Glendale clinic will pay about $1,500 a year for an annual physical and three other doctor visits, according to an October letter from the facility. Each patient also will be assessed a $250 annual administrative fee, according to the letter. Medicare patients at the Glendale clinic won’t be allowed to switch to a primary care doctor at another Mayo facility.
They call this a 2 year "pilot program" that might expand to other clinics and facilities. Right now it is just the Glendale clinic.
If there was ever an example of why reform is needed, this is it. However i have already seen the right wing talk about proof of "rationing care to the elderly".
Does anyone with some expertise know the ramifications of this for hcr if any?