Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act prevents 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today voted for H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act.  The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act will prevent the 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payment rates scheduled for January 2010.  It will also replace the formula currently used to calculate payment rates, the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, with a new system that is permanent and sustainable.  The House passed the bill by a vote of 243-183.

“The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act will permanently reform the Medicare payment system, ensuring doctors are compensated fairly,” Congresswoman Johnson said.  “A stabilized payment system will encourage doctors to continue to see Medicare patients, protecting seniors by preserving their relationships with their current doctors.  The legislation will also benefit members of the military and their families, because physician payment rates in TRICARE are tied to those used by Medicare.”

H.R. 3961 is companion legislation to the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the landmark health care reform legislation the House passed on November 7.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.