Exposure of Pay-Offs--Physicians Payment Sunshine Act

I recently learned of the Physicians Payment Sunshine Act which wants to expose physicians who receive money and benefits from manufacturers of medical devices, medical supplies and pharmaceutical companies.

I applaud this effort as I firmly believe that when my orthopedic surgeon selected Synvisc as the viscosupplemtation for me, he did not consider my severe chemical sensitivities noted to him many times. Several studies printed in peer-review medical journals show that this viscosupplementation produces significantly more adverse events compared to others on the market. I believe my orthopedic surgeon considered the product over this patient, and I'm likely NOT the first, and saddly not the last. It would not surprise me to find a financial connection between the two parties.

This bill has not made if very far in prior congressional sessions, yet fortunately for patients, Senator Grassley of Iowa has not given up. It doesn't take much to realize why the Physicians Payment Sunshine Act has not passed to date. Follow the money. Pharmaceutical companies do not want this kind of exposure, and neither do the members of the American Medical Association. Both highly powerful groups with lobbyist...MONEY buys our laws unless we elect congressman who have ethics and who care.

Pressure your US Congressmen/women to support this into law. Do not be complacent. What do the physicians and drug companies have to hide if the exchange of money and benefits is not unethical?

Sen. Charles Grassley [R-IA] is the sponsor of this bill. To learn more about the status of this bill and co-sponsors, go to www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-301

Chairman Kohl said, “If these physicians are essentially putting their medical judgment up for sale, where does the patient’s well-being fit into the equation?” Check out report at http://aging.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=294092

Visit Dr Charles Rosen's site for more information on his fight to make this happen
http://www.ethicaldoctor.org/

Contact your senator today
http://www.senate.gov/


[Note: this is not meant to be a political statement, favoring one party over the other. This is meant to stimulate change in our government for our health's sake, no matter what side you're on.]