Physician executives: Sequester will hurt

TAMPA — A majority of physician executives polled by a Tampa-based group say their organizations will be affected by budget cuts caused by sequestration.

The physicians said the effects could range from a drop in Medicare reimbursement to scaled-back funding for research and training programs, according to a statement from the American College of Physician Executives, an organization for doctors who hold leadership and management positions. Many are CEOs or medical directors.

The group conducted an online poll distributed to approximately 11,000 physician leaders, which drew 567 responses. Of those, 58% said the sequestration budget cuts would impact their organizations, while 22% said they would not. An additional 20% were unsure.