House Approves SGR Package

Press Release

The House of Representatives approved H.R.2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, by a vote of 392-37. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) led the effort to replace the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate.

"This day has been years in the making," said Pitts. "From the start of my chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I have made it a priority to get rid of the uncertainty caused by the Sustainable Growth Rate. This bill does that and also contains real entitlement reforms that will reduce spending in the long-term. It took persistence and honest negotiation, and I am pleased with the final product."

Congressman Pitts managed debate on the House floor for the Energy and Commerce Committee.

"With overwhelming support of the House floor and the support of the President, I expect the Senate to take up our bill soon," said Pitts. "They need to act soon, as doctors face a 21 percent cut to reimbursements next week. We can end the patchwork doc fix bills once and for all and move on to the greater work of strengthening and saving Medicare for future generations."

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