Part 3/5:
The announcement of the policy change was met with vehement criticism from medical professionals and patients, who feared the financial implications of such a decision. The primary concern was that if surgical procedures exceeded the predetermined anesthesia time, patients could find themselves responsible for any additional costs incurred. This potential liability sparked outrage, as many argued that surgeries are inherently unpredictable, and imposing strict time limits on anesthesia coverage could lead to significant patient distress and financial burden.