Schwartz Statement on Bipartisan, Bicameral SGR Repeal Proposal

Statement

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the bipartisan, bicameral agreement to replace Medicare's broken physician payment system.

In February 2013, Schwartz introduced the bipartisan Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act (H.R. 574) with Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) to repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and set out a clear path toward comprehensive reforms of Medicare payment and delivery systems. The bipartisan agreement announced today incorporates the overarching framework of Schwartz's legislation and includes several specific provisions.

"Seniors must have access to their doctors. Today's bipartisan agreement moves us closer than ever to a permanent solution for Medicare's broken physician payment system that has threatened seniors' access to care for more than a decade. I'm proud that the agreement reflects legislation I introduced to create a pathway to new reimbursement models that reward quality of care over volume, improve patient outcomes, and reduce Medicare costs. I commend Rep. Levin and Rep. Waxman for their leadership in forging this agreement for a permanent SGR fix. While we still have to grapple with the challenge of offsets, it is imperative that Congress acts to make sure seniors have access to the care they need. Time is running out and Congress cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away."

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