The Physicians' Cincinnatus Society

For physicians and patients alike, it is important that we restore sanity to the practice of medicine. Medical decisions must be made by qualified physicians. Their qualifications must not be determined by insurance companies or any other body not qualified to assess medical competence. Physicians must be independent decision makers regarding treatment. Anything that restricts physicians from being patients advocates, whether it is by intimidation by managed care organizations or any other body, makes for bad medicine for patients. Forcing physicians out of

private practice by tying their license to practice to outlanish CAT Fund surcharges they cannot afford does a great disservice to the public and serves only the greedy. In Pennsylvania, a top priority must be to untie physicians' license to practice from insurance. To again quote Judge Crumlish, "Financial security has never been a condition precedent to the practice of medicine, or any other profession, and so impose such a condition constitutes an unreasonable restriction of a property right resulting in an unconstitutional deprivation of property."

     In Pennsylvania, many issues relating not only to the CAT Fund but also to allowing physicians to make medical decisions and provide quality care remain to be solved by legislation and litigation. The onerous law (Act 111 and now Act 135) which ties Pennsylvania physicians' license to practice to insurance must be abolished. This law is used by the CAT Fund to coerce and extort, making physicians and community hospitals pay outlandish surcharges and forcing many out of business.

     The Physicians' Cincinnatus Society presently is zeroing in primarily on one issue so that there will be no fancy legal maneuvering, muddying the waters and side-stepping the basic issue which forces physicians out of practice, or leave them no alternative but to sell out to managed care companies, simply because they would lose their license when they can no longer afford the surcharges.

     To stay current, read the newsletters we will post at frequent intervals.

Back to Home