Some decline to take Medicaid patients, because they find the reimbursement too low or the paperwork and bureaucracy too burdensome.

While low reimbursement is a critical issue, it must not be allowed to threaten the availability of breast cancer screening.

"The main issue, and the toughest one to turn around, is the issue of low reimbursement by third parties," Mr. Leone added.

Tenet also said it expected lower reimbursements from Medicare and state governments under Medicaid.

Medicare beneficiaries appreciate their doctors, but contend that the doctors could get by with lower reimbursements from Medicare.

Home care is a time-consuming, demanding process with very low reimbursement, but the reasons for low levels of physician involvement go beyond that.

Because of Medicaid's low reimbursements, that often translates to shabby clinics and crowded emergency rooms.

It has been reported that the number of physicians accepting Medicaid has decreased in recent years due to relatively high administrative costs and low reimbursements.

Most doctors," he said, "have seen their incomes drop because of lower reimbursements, and many are looking for a buffer from the business world.

Physicians will not do fewer procedures because of lower reimbursement.