As an optometrist who practiced in the Third District of Arkansas for 25 years, I know firsthand how important Medicare is to Arkansas's seniors. While Medicare has helped over 90 million American seniors live happier and healthier lives, the program has failed to keep up with the advancements the medical field has seen since its inception.
The Medicare program is need of some modernization so that seniors can benefit from new technologies and advancements made in the health care field. For this reason, I voted for the "Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003," which President Bush signed into law in December 2003. This new voluntary program guarantees real savings and choice to seniors looking for prescription drug coverage. Under this law, Medicare now pays 75% of drug costs up to $2,250 for all beneficiaries who enroll in the drug benefit program. Additional benefits for Arkansas’ low-income seniors are also included in the program.
In addition, I have consistently opposed annual cuts to Medicare reimbursements to doctors. Because physician reimbursements are so low under the Medicare program, many doctors around the country are no longer treating Medicare beneficiaries. The formula which calculates these reimbursements is desperately out-of-date. Until Congress can determine a formula which accurately reimburses physicians, it is vital that we prohibit further drops in reimbursements to our health care personnel, thus allowing our doctors to continue treating Medicare beneficiaries.
We also need to make sure that Medicare has the resources to deliver on its promise of a secure and healthy retirement for today's and tomorrow's seniors. I promise to work with my colleagues in the House, both Democrat and Republican, to strengthen Medicare so that the program can continue to provide innovative care and benefits to our nation's seniors.
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Medicare: Enrollment in Medicare Drug Plans
Medicare: Payments to Physicians
Medicare Payment Policies
