Rep. Young Works in U.S. House for Permanent Medicare Fix for Alaska

Press Release

Alaskan Congressman Don Young not only voted in favor of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, but also worked closely with the Alaskan delegation in successfully securing increased Medicare physician payments in Alaska by 35 percent. This permanent increase to the Medicare Geographic Practice Cost Index will go into effect January 1, 2009 and will encourage physicians to serve Medicare patients throughout the state. Nationally, this bill provides a physician fix which will prevent a 10.6% pay-cut, continues the 0.5% increase in payments for 2008, and provides a 1.1% increase for 2009. This bill passed the House by a vote of 355-59.

"This is a great day for Alaska's seniors," said Rep. Young. "I have worked very hard with the delegation to ensure that our seniors are taken care of. Without this permanent fix, doctors would continue to be reimbursed to less than half the actual costs associated with a Medicare visit and seniors would be in real danger of losing accessible health care. I won't allow that to happen under my watch. Most importantly, this is a permanent fix, not one that will expire in a few months putting us back at square one. Additionally, this bill also extends the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program which provides grants that rural health care providers can use to improve their facilities, and adds a new component making mental health services more accessible to rural veterans and rural residents. I truly think this is one of the best health care bills we've ever passed for Alaska and it makes me extremely proud to have been a part of it, and to have been able to do this for the elder population of our great State!"

Additionally, H.R. 6331 will:

Reauthorize the Special Diabetes Programs for Type 1 Diabetes and the Special Diabetes Programs for Native Alaskan/American Indians for two years.

Ensure patient access to necessary physical therapy services by extending the therapy cap exceptions process as well as prevent Medicare patients that have already exceeded the $1810 cap during the first six months of the year, from being denied additional therapy services.

Improve access to telehealth services by making these services available to seniors through Medicare at more types of health facilities, including hospital-based renal dialysis facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and community health centers.

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