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Ann Thorac Surg 2001;71:12-13
© 2001 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Invited commentary: original article: cardiovascular

Invited commentary

^a Department of Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Suite 601, 2040 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102, USA

e-mail: alittle@med.unr.edu

The Health Care Financing Agency (HCFA) is the administrative agency responsible for payment of Medicare charges. The message that HCFA reimbursements have and are continuing to decline is not surprising. This article utilizes classic economic methodology to dramatically emphasize the startling, nearly draconian, impact of these reductions. Although the economic terminology might be new to some readers, the concepts are straightforward, well presented, and easily understood. This article deserves careful reading and thoughtful consideration. It does not relate either the background, history, or structure of the Medicare program or HCFA itself, which are provided in the special report from Tim Gardner, MD . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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