More Texas doctors opting out of Medicare

An increasing number of Texas doctors are opting out of Medicare, weary of the perennial fights over cuts in reimbursement. Only 58% of doctors in the state now accept new Medicare patients, according to a survey by the Texas Medical Association. That number is down from an estimated 90% before 1990. Among primary-care doctors, the percentage that now accept Medicare patients is 38%. Leaders of the Texas Medical Assocation now predict the percentage will continue to plummet if Congress doesn't arrive at a long-term solution soon.