Medicare Bill Enhances Health Care for South Dakotans

Op-Ed

Medicare Bill Enhances Health Care for South Dakotans

By Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
July 10, 2008

During my travels across South Dakota recently, I had the chance to speak with Medicare beneficiaries as well as health care providers about a pending 10.6 percent cut in physician reimbursement payments that was set to take effect July 1st. Many of those I spoke with, including doctors and hospital administrators, expressed concerns that this cut in payments to doctors would not only limit the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to access affordable healthcare but also threaten the quality of healthcare available to residents in communities all across the state. As about one out of every six South Dakotans would have been directly affected by the scheduled cuts, this is a vitally important issue for our state.

Before leaving for the 4th of July Recess, the House voted overwhelmingly for the Medicare Improvement Act which would put a stop to the payment cuts for eighteen months and provide a slight increase next year, in addition to including other important provisions for beneficiaries and care providers.

By a vote of 355-39, including 129 Republicans, an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House sent a strong message to the Senate and the President that changes need to be made to Medicare in order to better serve beneficiaries. The Senate, however, in June initially failed by one vote to move forward with this important legislation, thus allowing the cuts to take effect on July 1st. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services then announced that it would not process new claims under the new payment system until July 15th to allow more time for negotiation in Congress and with the Administration.

I'm pleased that after returning from the July 4th recess, the Senate was able to approve the bill with strong bipartisan support and send it to the President. This is a real victory for South Dakota's seniors and all families who depend on reliable, quality health care.

While some have falsely claimed that the reforms would eliminate certain plans under Medicare Advantage, let me be clear: the bill does not eliminate any health insurance plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. Instead, this bill makes popular and important reforms that will level the playing field between standard Medicare and plans available under the Medicare Advantage program. Despite the opposition of the President and a minority in both houses of Congress, I'm pleased that the strong votes in both chambers of Congress signal a sufficient bipartisan veto-proof margin which I believe will overcome the expected presidential veto.

Again, the bill does not eliminate the private fee-for-service plan option for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. It simply levels the playing field to ensure that these plans meet standards that apply to other plans. Medicare Advantage private fee-for service plans remain as an option for beneficiaries. The bill also helps to ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries, including those enrolled in traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, continue to have access to quality, affordable healthcare for years to come, by not directing a disproportionate amount of Medicare's limited resources simply to boost insurance companies' bottom lines.

The mischaracterization of the Medicare Improvement Act by some in the health insurance industry and their allies has served not only to frighten Medicare beneficiaries, but also to demonstrate the lengths to which some in the industry will go to protect their own pocketbooks. In fact, the Medicare Improvement Act includes common-sense reforms that will ensure health care providers continue to participate in Medicare, eliminates unnecessary government waste, and helps to ensure the financial viability of Medicare for present and future Americans who rely on this essential program for high-quality, affordable healthcare.

Source