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WITH CLOCK TICKING, BERKLEY URGES SENATE TO PASS MEDICARE FIX PDF Print E-mail

Action Needed Before July 1st to Protect Medicare Patient Access to Doctor Care

(June 26, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.) Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today called on Senate Republicans to stop blocking passage of legislation needed to protect Nevada seniors and millions of other Americans covered under Medicare. Unless Congress acts, reimbursement rates paid to doctors who treat Medicare patients will be slashed by more than 10%. The move threatens to keep Medicare patients from being able to see their regular doctor.

“The Senate must act before the end of June to protect the ability for Nevada Medicare patients to see their own doctors. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans are playing games with this legislation, even as the clock is ticking on the cuts going in to effect,” said Berkley. “This bill, which I supported in the House, recognizes that we cannot ask our doctors to lose money when they see a Medicare patient,” said Berkley. “And with the Valley’s rapidly growing senior population, Las Vegas would be especially hard hit as a result of this drastic cut in reimbursement rates. The package stalled in the Senate is a win-win-win that protects seniors, addresses the concerns of our doctors and makes good on Medicare’s promise of access to quality healthcare services. Let’s put aside our differences and do what is right for Medicare patients and for the physicians who work to keep them healthy.”



Earlier this week, the House approved The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) on a vote of 355 to 59. In addition to blocking the payment cut, the legislation also enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits and improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.



“In addition to preventing this severe cut, the bill will also allow more low income seniors to take advantage of subsidy programs, it will add additional preventive benefits, and it will lower co-pays for mental health to bring them in line with those of other health benefits.”



KEY POINTS



* Eliminates the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians for the remainder of 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update in Medicare physician payments for 2009.



* Extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040. This includes the “Qualified Individual” program which pays part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries with incomes of $12,480 to $14,040 a year.



* Increases the amount of assets that low-income beneficiaries can have and still qualify for financial help with Medicare costs.



* Adds new preventive benefits to the Medicare program and reduces beneficiary out of pocket costs for mental health care.
 
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