Expecting the worst from reform.

Physicians believe that they and their patients both will do worse under health care reform, a survey shows. The poll of 600 physicians by the research consulting firm Market Strategies International found that 7 of 10 primary care physicians expect a decline in the number of physicians in practice as a result of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, fewer primary care physicians and specialists expect to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients after 2014. Four of five primary care physicians said their patients also are concerned that they'll be negatively affected by the law, and most physicians say the reforms won't allow them to do a better job meeting patients' needs. Still, only 39% of primary care physicians say they're "totally familiar" with the provisions contained in the health care reform law, according to the survey.