Walz Pledges Support For Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicare
Press Release
WALZ PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM AND MEDICARE
CHAMP Act provides health insurance for 11 million American children, strengthens Medicare, and promotes rural health
Washington, Aug 1 - Today, Congressman Tim Walz will support the Children's Health and Medical Protection Act of 2007 (H.R. 3162). The legislation, also known as the CHAMP Act, would reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program, which currently provides health insurance for six million kids but is set to expire on September 30th. The legislation would also help states provide coverage for an additional five million children who are eligible for the program but not enrolled in it.
The CHAMP Act will also help seniors receive care from the doctors of their choice. The bill would halt a previously-scheduled 10 percent cut in reimbursements to doctors who provide services to Medicare patients in 2008, followed by 5 percent cuts in each following year. These cuts make it difficult for hospitals and physicians to continue to serve Medicare patients, and as they opt out of treating Medicare patients, seniors have fewer doctors to choose from. Beyond preventing the cuts, the CHAMP Act would actually increase payments to physicians by 0.5 percent.
Furthermore, the bill includes $3 billion to continue a program directing supplemental Medicare payments to rural healthcare providers. Without the legislation, these provisions would expire, leaving rural providers facing even bigger Medicare payment cuts than other providers.
"The CHAMP Act is a victory for kids, seniors, and the doctors who care for them," Walz said. "The Medicare reimbursement cuts are having a devastating effect on healthcare providers all across southern Minnesota, from tiny rural doctors' offices to world-class institutions like the Mayo Clinic. I want to make sure that our seniors can choose their doctors and that our providers receive fair reimbursement for their services. The CHAMPS Act will accomplish exactly that."
The American Medical Association, the AARP, the National Rural Health Association, the Children's Defense Fund, the March of Dimes, and dozens of other groups have endorsed the CHAMP Act.
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