[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                AHCPR'S STUDY SUPPORTS PETE STARK'S BILL

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 2726 which directs the 
Secretary to contract with certain hospitals for the provision of 
certain surgical procedures and related services under the Medicare 
Program. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research's (AHCPR) 
October 1997 article, ``Study Reaffirms Link Between Angioplasty 
Outcomes and Hospital and Physician Experience,'' adds to the list of 
reasons why the bill should become law.
  The article states that: ``In the largest study of its kind to date, 
researchers have once again found that elderly patients undergoing 
coronary angioplasty are well advised to have the procedure done in 
hospitals that perform 200 or more angioplasties each year and by 
physicians who perform 75 or more angioplasties each year. These 
patients suffer fewer complications and deaths than similar patients 
who undergo angioplasties at hospitals and physicians who perform the 
procedure less often''
  The article confirms that Medicare contracting with certain high 
volume, high quality hospitals will save money and deliver better 
health care. One could say it is a two-for-one: saves money while 
improving quality.
  Mr. Speaker, the sooner we pass H.R. 2726, the sooner we start saving 
lives and saving dollars.

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