July 9, 2008

Doctors, Seniors and Patient Advocates Support the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act

Before the July 4th recess, Bush Republicans had the chance to pass legislation supported by two-thirds of House Republicans that would prevent a scheduled 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. But they said no. Today, they will have another chance. Since their irresponsible vote, the medical community as well as senior citizens and patient advocates have stated their strong support for this critical legislation. Will Bush Republicans do the right thing and vote yes or will they continue their obstruction in the face of such broad support for the bill from doctors, seniors and patient advocates. 

Doctros and medical associations support the Medicare Improvements Act:

President of American Medical Association Pressed Congress to Block Medicare Cuts.  "This cut would force 60 percent of doctors to limit the number of new Medicare patients they treat. More than half of doctors say they'd need to cut staff, and 14 percent say they'd quit patient care altogether.  If physicians can't pay our bills, we have to make tough decisions that we don't like to make — let alone talk about. We need the Senate to do more than talk about it — right now. We're asking Congress to stop the cuts and support Medicare payments to physicians that at least start to cover the cost of practicing medicine.” [Dr. Nancy Nielsen, President of American Medical Association, 6/26/08]

• American Medical Association President Said Republican Senators Decided It Was More Important to Protect Health Insurers than Seniors.  “On July 1, the government will slash Medicare physician payments by 10.6%, forcing physicians to make terrible choices just to keep their doors open.  Everyone in congress knows this is wrong and must be stopped.  The House of Representatives did the right thing, voting overwhelmingly, in a bipartisan fashion, to stop the cuts.  We appealed to the Senate to do the same, along with seniors and the disabled.  At the same time, health insurance lobbyists were attempting to protect their inflated Medicare Advantage payments.  What happened next is an outrage.  A group of Senators decided it was more important to protect health insurers than to protect the health of seniors.”  [Statement of Dr. Nancy Nielsen, President of American Medical Association, 7/1/08]

Treasurer of National Medical Association Expressed Need for Medicare Improvements Act.  “I am now at the point where I can no longer accept what Medicare pays for my services.  My colleagues at the National Medical Association, from across the nation, in multiple specialties, have been forced into the same corner.  Our overhead – such as office space, payroll, medical supplies and liability insurance – have escalated, while Medicare reimbursement has continued to decline.” [Statement of Dr. Willarda Edwards, Treasurer of National Medical Association, Press Conference 7/8/08]

President of American Academy of Family Physicians Supported Medicare Improvements Act.  “The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds and supports efforts by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and his colleagues in both parties to ensure that America’s Medicare patients have access to health care.  Reforming America’s health care system must meet two goals: ensuring that people can afford health coverage and that physicians can continue to care for them without fear of bankruptcy.  With the introduction of the ‘Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008’ (S. 3101.), Sen. Baucus and his colleagues have made a significant step toward meeting those goals.” [Statement of Dr. James King, President of American Academy of Family Physicians, 6/9/08]

• American Academy of Family Physicians Said It Was “Unconscionable” That Senate Republicans Jeopardized Care for Millions of Seniors.  “Family physicians have worked tirelessly on behalf of Medicare patients. Despite those efforts, family physicians have struggled with 20 percent inflation in costs for office space, equipment, supplies, health and administrative staff, medical liability insurance and other costs of business since 2001. During that time, their Medicare compensation for their services has stagnated. No small business – as most family physician practices are – can sustain that kind of loss and remain open to care for people. It is unconscionable that our elected officials – who were sent to Washington to represent the needs of the American public – cannot act to ensure access to care for millions of their elderly and disabled constituents.”  [Statement of Dr. James King, President of American Academy of Family Physicians, 6/27/08]

President of American Health Care Association Praised Bipartisan Support of Medicare Bill. “‘It is significant and noteworthy that such a strong, bipartisan, ideologically-diverse group of lawmakers – over forty percent of the entire U.S. Senate – has publicly declared their opposition the Bush Administration’s damaging Medicare funding reductions, and we thank them for their leadership in doing so,’ said Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA. ‘The scope and breadth of this congressional opposition, particularly among key members of the President’s own party, demonstrates members on both sides of the aisle have objectively evaluated the facts, and how these cuts will undermine the care needs their elderly constituents.’” [Statement of Bruce Yarwood, President of American Health Care Association, Press Release 6/25/08]

American Society of Clinical Oncology Called Medicare Bill ‘Vital’.  “Yesterday, ASCO met with Senate leaders to make clear it is vital that Congress pass the "Medicare Improvements to Patients and Providers Act" (H.R. 6331) to stave off a 10.6 percent cut to physician payments.  There are many issues that need to be addressed in the coming weeks, but SGR cuts are an immediate crisis of devastating proportions. The medical community must stand together for the benefit of all Medicare patients.”  [ASCO Press Release 7/3/08]

Seniors organizations, health advocacy groups support the Medicare Improvements Act:

AARP Endorsed Medicare Improvements Act.  “With a deadline fast approaching, AARP strongly urges the Senate to support the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act passed by the House earlier this week. This bill will help people in Medicare by maintaining their access to doctors, implementing electronic prescribing and bolstering Medicare’s low-income programs. [AARP Press Release, 6/25/08]

National Council on Aging Supported Medicare Improvements Act.  The National Council on Aging (NCOA) strongly supports the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (S. 3101), sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT). NCOA and a broad array of national organizations representing over 40 million seniors are urging Senators to vote to support the bipartisan Baucus Medicare bill, scheduled for a cloture vote on June 12. ‘The Baucus bill addresses a number of serious, long-standing problems faced by struggling seniors on fixed incomes," said Howard Bedlin, NCOA Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. "It corrects deficiencies in the premium assistance program for low-income older people, which has resulted in participation rates of only 13%, and removes barriers that impede access to needed mental health and preventive care.’” [NCOA Press Release, 6/13/08]

American Geriatrics Association Supported Medicare Improvement Act.  “The American Geriatrics Society and others have been urging legislators to avert the 10.6% cut which, surveys suggest, may prompt physicians to stop accepting new Medicare patients and, as a result, limit older Americans' access to healthcare.”  [American Geriatrics Society, Press Release, 6/30/08] 

Veterans Groups, Disabled Americans Groups, and Other Health Organizations Supported Medicare Bill.  “The American Association for Homecare supports H.R. 6331.  Other organizations that support the reforms to the bidding program include the ALS Association, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and United Spinal Association. [American Association for Homecare, Press Release 6/26/08] 

Center for Medicare Advocacy Supports Medicare Improvements Act.  “The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) urges support for S. 3101, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. ‘This bill is good for beneficiaries all around. It ensures access to medical care by preventing the Medicare fee cut for doctors set to become effective on July 1, it makes significant improvements in Medicare by reducing cost-sharing for mental health services, and it makes it easier for Medicare to pay for preventive services,’ said Judith Stein, Executive Director.” [Medical News Today, 6/12/08]

 Republican senators' home states demand passage of medicare bill:   

Texas Medical Association and AARP Called on Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn to Vote for Medicare Bill.  “AARP Texas joined forces today with the Texas Medical Association to urge Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to reconsider and support [the medicare bill]…’It is deeply troubling that Senators Hutchison and Cornyn voted to block a bill with bipartisan support that would have preserved patients’ access to their doctors and improved Medicare for the 2.7 million Texans who depend on it,’ said Bob Jackson, AARP Texas state director. ‘For the sake of older Texans, people with disabilities and military families, we urge both senators to vote for this bill’…’As soon as they return to Washington from the July 4 recess, we call on Senators Cornyn and Hutchison to make it their No. 1 priority to pass H.R. 6331,’ said Texas Medical Association President Josie Williams, MD. "Our elderly patients, Texans with disabilities, and our practices just can’t withstand this 10.6-percent cut in Medicare payments. And our senators will soon have the opportunity to correct their big mistake." [AARP Press Release, 7/3/08]

Indiana State Medical Association Called on Senator Lugar to Pass Medicare Bill.  “Sen. Lugar could have made a big difference,” said Jon Marhenke, M.D., president of the Indiana State Medical Association…"We are deeply troubled that Sen. Lugar voted to block a bill with bipartisan support that would have preserved patients’ access to their doctors and improved Medicare for the 44 million Americanswho depend on it,” said June Lyle, AARP Indiana state director. “We urge Sen. Lugar to listen to his constituents and reconsider his vote when the bill comes up again after the congressional recess.”  “Because of Sen. Lugar’s vote, the Senate went home for the July 4th recess leaving care for our nation’s seniors, disabled individuals and military families hanging in the balance,” Dr. Marhenke said. “We call on the senator to reconsider his vote and return to Washington to do what’s right – vote to ensure patient access to care and give health care security to America’s elderly.” [AARP Press Release, 7/2/08]

Tennessee Medical Association and AARP Were Disappointed By Senator Alexander’s and Corker’s Medicare Votes and Urged Them to Reconsider. “‘We are deeply troubled that our senators - Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker - voted to block a bill with bipartisan support that would have preserved patients’ access to their doctors and improved Medicare for the millions of Americans who depend on it,’ said AARP Tennessee Director Rebecca Kelly. ‘For the sake of older Americans, people with disabilities and military families, we urge Senators Alexander and Corker to listen to their constituents and reconsider their votes when the bill comes up again after the congressional recess…’ ‘Because of the stance our two senators took, the Senate went home for the July 4th recess leaving care for our nation’s seniors, disabled individuals, and military families hanging in the balance,’ said Robert D. Kirkpatrick, MD, TMA’s president. ‘We call on Senator Alexander and Senator Corker to reconsider their votes and return to Washington to do what’s right – vote to ensure patient access to care and improve health security for 44 million Americans.’” [Tennessee Medical Association, AARP Statement, 7/3/08]

Iowa AARP Was Disappointed in Senator Grassley’s ‘No’ to Medicare.  “While we are disappointed by today’s outcome, we applaud Senator Harkin for voting to improve Medicare and bring this bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote,” said Anthony Carroll, AARP Iowa Associate State Director for Advocacy… “We are disappointed that Senator Grassley voted to block this Medicare improvement bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.  This bill would begin to bring down health care costs for millions of Americans by boosting Medicare’s prevention, mental health, and low-income programs and promoting e-prescribing—one way to reduce harmful and costly medical errors.” [Statement of Anthony Carroll, AARP Iowa Associate State Director for Advocacy, AAPR Press Release 6/16/08]

Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans Pressured Senator Specter to Approve Medicare Bill.  “‘There is an awful lot of pressure on Sen. Specter and other Senators to do the right thing, look out for the best interests of retirees, and vote for H.R. 6331,’ said George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance.  ‘Thank you to all the Pennsylvania Alliance members who e-mailed Senator Specter and advised him to reconsider when he has a chance to vote again.’” [Statement of George Kourpias, President of Alliance for Retired Americans, 7/3/08]  

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