House Doctors Question Leadership's Decision To Allow 21-percent Medicare Cut

Press Release

U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) joined Representatives Phil Gingrey (R-GA) and Tim Murphy (R-PA), co-chairmen of the House Doctors Caucus, in questioning House and Senate Leadership for leaving town last week without preventing a devastating 21-percent cut to Medicare reimbursements from occurring today.
The 2009 Defense Appropriations bill contained a provision to delay through February 28, 2010 a scheduled 21 percent cut in physician payments under Medicare. These cuts are mandated by the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR), upon which physician payments are based. Neither a permanent or temporary fix was agreed upon before the extension ran out on Sunday.

"As doctors who have cared for thousands of America's seniors, we are disappointed with the decision to leave Washington before making certain the 21-percent cut in Medicare physician services would not take effect," Boustany said referring to Speaker Pelosi. "This decision creates needless uncertainty for Medicare patients. If Medicare patients cannot trust Washington to ensure they can access quality health care, how can Americans trust Washington to impose a 2,000-plus page health care overhaul without significant unintended consequences?"

"It was simply unacceptable for Speaker Pelosi to adjourn Congress without doing anything to address the 21 percent cut in Medicare physician services. Caring for America's seniors should be a top priority for Congress. Clearly, however, Democratic leaders do not share that same sentiment, which is ironic given that they are asking seniors to trust that the health care reform bill they are trying to ram through the House and Senate will improve seniors' care while cutting Medicare further," said Gingrey. "This decision creates uncertainty for patients and physicians and I urge Speaker Pelosi to bring a sustainable, fiscally responsible solution to the floor this week."

"The time has come for Congress to pass a full and permanent fix for Medicare reimbursement rates that will increase seniors' access to physicians, fairly pay doctors an amount that reflects the true cost of services provided, and creates a sound funding mechanism to prevent future cuts," said Congressman Murphy.

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