Good Riddance! House Votes Overwhelmingly to Permanently Repeal the #SGR and Strengthen Medicare
House Energy and Commerce Committee members today spoke in support of H.R. 2 to permanently repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate, establish a fair and stable payment system for Medicare, protect seniors' access to their doctors, begin to strengthen Medicare over the long term, and extend the Children's Health Insurance Program. H.R. 2 was approved by a vote of 392-37.
Full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI):
"This is a long time coming. Most of us came to Congress to fight for our nation's kids, seniors, and their families. Today's vote is a defining moment for this Congress and for Medicare."
Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA):
"We should see this bill as a first step toward strengthening and saving Medicare. This can't be the end of the road."
Full Committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN):
"H.R. 2 is finally going to eliminate the flawed SGR. It will be replaced with commonsense legislation, which will provide health care providers with the predictability that is necessary to meet the needs of Medicare enrollees."
Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), lead sponsor of H.R. 2:
"This is the work of a collaborative body. It is time to end the SGR. Let us never speak of this issue again."
Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS):
"Now is the time to end this failed policy once and for all and protect access to care for seniors."
Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN):
"Today is a great day for America's seniors. After years of flawed Medicare policy, we are finally creating a stable system that ensures Medicare patients will have access to their doctors."
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL):
"This bill will replace the SGR with a Merit Based Incentive Payment system. MIPS means physicians are practicing better medicine to keep their patients healthier."
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC):
"This is what the American people want to see. This is about certainty. This is about governing. This is about giving solutions to a problem."
Source