[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1913]]
            ACCESS TO CARE PROBLEMS IN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this year, physicians and other skilled 
health care professionals absorbed a 5.4 percent cut in Medicare 
reimbursements. The cut went into effect in January, and the signs of 
access problems are already showing.
  Since rural physicians already receive less reimbursement for 
services provided to Medicare patients than urban physicians, this is a 
critical issue.
  Medicare patients in this Member's Congressional District are finding 
it increasingly difficult to find a physician. Some physicians will not 
accept patients who are 60 years old, because they are nearing 
Medicare-eligibility age.
  Lincoln, the second largest city in Nebraska, has a population of 
225,581. We have 27 internists. According to estimates, only five to 
seven of these internists are accepting new Medicare patients. Where 
are new Medicare patients supposed to go to obtain the health care 
services they need when these internists cannot accept any more 
Medicare patients? Will these Medicare patients end up in hospital 
emergency rooms to obtain necessary health care services? Will they go 
untreated?
  The House passed corrective legislation already on June 28, 2002. The 
Senate has not acted. We cannot throw our hands up in the air, and give 
up. We cannot leave our senior citizens behind. We must protect our 
senior citizens and preserve access to physician services.

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