Tubbs Jones Supports Medicare Improvements Bill
Press Release
Tubbs Jones Supports Medicare Improvements Bill
Expresses Concerns Regarding Lack of Provisions for Dialysis Patients
Today, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones released this statement regarding the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. This legislation prevents the pending 10 percent payment reduction for physicians in Medicare, enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits, improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, and extends expiring provisions for rural and other providers.
"While I do have some concerns regarding the lack of protections for End Stage Renal Disease patients -- a condition that disproportionately affects African Americans, I am encouraged by many of the provisions included in this legislation," said Rep. Tubbs Jones. "I am particularly pleased that the bill extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040.00 including the Qualified Individual program that pays part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries. Additionally, the bill adds new preventative benefits to the Medicare program and reduces out of pocket expenses for mental health care."
Specifically, provisions of the legislation include modest steps to reduce Medicare payments to private plans that receive more than 100 percent of the cost to treat a beneficiary in fee-for-service Medicare. The legislation would accomplish this by phasing out the Indirect Medical Education double-payment, eliminating the Medicare "slush" fund to further increases payments to private plans, and ensuring that Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans comply with quality requirements and have adequate access to providers.
Additionally, the legislation provides assistance to physicians and pharmacies including eliminating the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians and providing a 1.1 percent update in Medicare physician payments for 2009, and requires Medicare Advantage plans pay pharmacies promptly within a 14 day period.
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