Congresswoman Laura Richardson Acts To Provide Quality And Accessible Healthcare To The Nation's Seniors

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson acted to ensure that senior citizens, veterans and other Americans continue to have affordable and accessible healthcare by voting for the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (HR 3961). The Act, which reforms how doctors are reimbursed for serving Medicare patients, was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by 243 to 183.

"With more than 60,000 people in the 37th Congressional District currently on Medicare, it is vital for the general welfare and health of our community that they have access to qualified and willing doctors," Congresswoman Richardson said. "This bill is the answer to ensuring continued fairness and quality for our seniors, patients and doctors. It helps our doctors by adequately reimbursing them for their services, which in turn allows them to be able to continue to treat our family members, friends and neighbors who depend on Medicare and TRICARE for their well-being, many who have limited additional income and no flexible spending accounts to fall back on."

HR 3961 creates a new measure for determining how doctors will be compensated, so they will not be forced to see their rates cut based on an artificially constructed formula, currently the Sustainable Growth Rate formula. The new rate system will reflect the actual cost of the services doctors provide to their patients.

"As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday and finalize overall healthcare reform, the security and peace of mind that this legislation will bring to our seniors and veterans is something for which we can all be thankful," Congresswoman Richardson added.

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