[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF THE GERIATRIC CARE ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the 
Geriatric Care Act of 2003, an important piece of legislation which 
will help our nation prepare for the health care pressures associated 
with the aging of the baby boom generation.
  Americans are living longer than ever, with the average life 
expectancy rising to 80 years old for women and 74 years old for men. 
While this is generally a positive development, there are costs 
associated with the aging of America. As seniors live longer, they face 
greater risks of disease and disabilities, such as Alzheimer's, 
diabetes, cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
  Geriatricians are physicians who are uniquely trained to help care 
for the aging and elderly. By promoting a comprehensive approach to 
health care, including wellness and preventive care, geriatricians can 
help seniors live longer and healthier lives.
  It is critical that our nation have a sufficient number of 
geriatricians to help manage the aging of the baby-boom generation. 
Unfortunately, there are currently only 9,000 certified geriatricians, 
and that number is expected to decline dramatically in the coming 
years. Of the approximately 98,000 medical residency and fellowship 
positions supported by Medicare in 1998, only 324 were in geriatric 
medicine and geriatric psychiatry. The Alliance for Aging Research 
estimates that the United States will need approximately 36,000 
geriatricians to counter the aging population. We must do more to 
promote geriatric residency programs.
  There are two barriers preventing physicians from entering 
geriatrics: insufficient Medicare reimbursements for the provision of 
geriatric care and inadequate training dollars and positions for 
geriatricians.
  A MedPac survey found that Medicare's low reimbursement rates serve 
as a major obstacle to recruiting new geriatricians. Due to their 
higher level of chronic disease and multiple prescriptions, seniors 
require additional care to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. 
Medicare's reimbursement rates do not factor the complex needs of 
elderly patients. Because geriatricians treat seniors exclusively, they 
are especially affected by Medicare's low reimbursement rates.
  Additionally, the Balanced Budget Act placed limits on the numbers of 
residents a hospital can have, based on 1996 numbers. This cap serves 
as a disincentive for some hospitals, and has caused them to eliminate 
or reduce their geriatric Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs.
  The legislation I am introducing today would remedy both of these 
problems, so that America is prepared for the aging baby boom 
generation. The Geriatric Care Act would modemize the Medicare fee 
schedule to more accurately reflect the cost of providing care for 
seniors. It also would allow for additional geriatric residency slots, 
so that we can develop an adequate supply of geriatricians for the next 
generation.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me as cosponsors of this 
legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.

                          ____________________