Arizona lawmaker says cuts would be devastating to millions
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today voted for legislation aimed at reversing reductions in Medicare and military TRICARE physician payment rates.
“Without the bill we passed this afternoon, the health care of millions of Americans would be at risk,” the Arizona lawmaker said. “The imposition of a cumulative 40 percent payment reduction over the next several years would be nothing short of devastating for Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries.”
The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act passed the House of Representatives this afternoon in a 243-to-183 vote. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Giffords called passage of the bill critical because it ends a “budget gimmick” that artificially reduces the deficit by assuming physician payments will be cut by 40 percent over the next several years even though Congress has consistently intervened to prevent those cuts from occurring.
The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act is supported by AARP, the American Medical Association and The Military Coalition, a consortium of uniformed service and veterans organizations that represents more than 5.5 million active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired and former service members and their families.
The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act would reverse the 21 percent reduction in Medicare and TRICARE physician payments that is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2010 unless Congress acts.
Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, agrees with The Military Coalition that the cuts would be particularly burdensome for TRICARE beneficiaries who live in areas where there is not a large military population or military hospital.
“Concern over not finding a doctor to treat an ill spouse or child is the last thing our troops should be forced to worry about,” Giffords said.
For Medicare beneficiaries, patients enrolled in physical, speech or occupational therapy would have had their treatment halted on Jan. 1 if Congress did not act.