by Amanda Hara
Nashville, Tenn.- President Obama's American Jobs Act is designed to grow the economy and cut the deficit. Cuts will come from Medicare, which means some doctors may not be able to afford to see patients covered by the program.
On Tuesday, Doctor Newton Allen, Jr. saw patient Robert Pemberton for a checkup at Saint Thomas Hospital. Dr. Allen says half of his clients are Medicare patients, including Pemberton.
Dr. Allen said it's already a financial strain to see Medicare patients.
"I have patients, Medicare patients, and they're apologetic they look at the bill and they see what's written off and they say how can you practice. I have patients that say that to me all the time." he said.
Doctor Allen said he's kept his head above water by running a fiscally conservative ship.
But more cuts to Medicare could sink him, and send one million Tennessee patients searching for doctors.
Tony Garr helps run the Tennessee Health Care Campaign. He said, "The fact of the matter is there are not enough doctors right now that will see medicare patients."
Garr said if cuts are made, the problem will only get worse.
And Dr. Allen worried that he'll be forced to follow many of his colleagues by either dropping or turning away patients covered by Medicare.
Doctors and patient advocates agreed that the best way to make cuts to Medicare is by eliminating procedures and treatments that are known to be ineffective.
Obama's plan specifically says that any bill proposing cuts to Medicare benefits will be vetoed.
Email: ahara@newschannel5.com
