Physicians' association says reform bill 'not near perfect' but offers benefits

The leader of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) believes the healthcare reform bill signed by President Obama last month is flawed, but does benefit independent primary care physicians.

Lori Heim, MD, president of the AAFP, lauded the bill's five-year, 10 percent Medicare bonus for primary physicians and reimbursement parity for Medicaid and Medicare fees for 2013 and 2014.

She also praised the $125 million earmarked to boost the ranks of primary care physicians and funding for the National Health Service Corps, which assists medical school loans.