Wexler Votes to Pay Doctors Fairly for Care of Medicare Patients

(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) voted for the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which prevents cuts to doctors who serve Medicare patients and ensures that seniors and the disabled have continued access to medical care.  This July, physicians are facing a 10.6% payment cut for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries, threatening the ability of many patients to afford visits to the doctor. This legislation stops these upcoming cuts, provides a modest increase for 2008, and makes several long overdue improvements to Medicare.

“Forty-four million seniors and disabled individuals depend on Medicare; and, if this physician payment cut is enacted, the ability of these Americans to simply see a doctor will be in jeopardy. That is not a risk I am willing to take,” said Congressman Wexler. “As our nation faces significant economic challenges and healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, it has never been more crucial for Congress to ensure that doctors who treat Medicare beneficiaries receive proper compensation for the treatment they provide.”

In 1997, Congress passed legislation to control Medicare costs, including payment reductions to physicians.  As healthcare costs have exploded, this formula has mandated deeper cuts in payments to doctors each year. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 stops the next scheduled cuts and instead implements a modest increase. In addition to preventing these cuts, the bill contains several provisions to improve Medicare, including coverage for preventative services, parity for mental health treatments, and more affordable services for low-income seniors and disabled individuals that need extra help to afford even basic care. H.R. 6331 passed by a vote of 355 to 59.

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