Medicare Improvements For Patients and Providers Act of 2008

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take a moment to express my enthusiastic support for H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which amends titles XVII and XIX of the Social Security Act and extends expiring provisions under the Medicare program. H.R. 6331 not only prevents the 10.6 percent pay cut to physicians scheduled to take effect July 1 while maintaining current payment levels for the rest of 2008, but it replaces the additional 5.4 percent cut scheduled on January 1, 2009 with a 1.1 percent increase in Medicare physician payments. By preventing these cuts, suppliers will be able to anticipate the costs that they will incur and will be less likely to withdraw from the program. H.R. 6331 also has a very positive outcome for beneficiaries as well. The provisions will improve choice and access to health care providers by changing the network requirements for the Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service Plan. Further the bill will reduce cost-sharing for mental health services and increase coverage for preventive services.

These policy improvements will translate into significant relief for the national medical community, including the 21 hospitals in the Illinois Seventh Congressional District; a district which also has some of the most medically-underserved constituents of any in this nation. Many of these individuals are Medicare beneficiaries that seek hundreds of Chicago doctors to provide Medicare services. Therefore, it is in the best interest of my constituents as well as Medicare providers, suppliers, and recipients across this nation that Congress enacts H.R. 6331, The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act. As a testament to the importance of this issue to Chicago, I received over 50 calls within the last few days urging me to support this bill. I stand with these constituents and Chicago more broadly to support this bill.

I would like to thank Chairman RANGEL for spearheading this legislation. I have fought and will continue to advocate vigorously in Congress alongside my colleagues for the improvement of Medicare resources in support of Medicare providers, suppliers, and beneficiaries.

Source