[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A CALL FOR ACTION: GEOGRAPHIC ADJUSTMENT OF PHYSICIAN WORK NEEDS TO BE 
                         ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member wishes to announce that the 
Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Act, a bill that will address the 
significant differential in reimbursement levels to urban and rural 
skilled health care professionals, now has 72 bipartisan cosponsors.
  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines ``physician 
work'' is the amount of time, skill and intensity a physician puts into 
patients' visits. Rural physicians put in as much or even more time, 
skill, and intensity into a patient visit as do physicians in urban 
areas. Yet, rural physicians are paid less for their work. This is not 
only unfair, it is discriminatory.
  Nebraska physicians and other health professionals are currently 
being shortchanged by about $8.7 million annually in Medicare payments. 
If a Member represents a rural locality, their District's physicians 
and skilled health professionals are likely being short-changed as 
well. Physician work should be valued equally, irrespective of the 
geographic location of the physician.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member urges his colleagues to support the Rural 
Equity Payment Index Reform Act and asks for language to be included in 
any comprehensive Medicare reform bill that is considered on the House 
floor. The legislation would gradually phase-in a floor to adjust the 
reimbursement upward for rural physicians without lowering pay in other 
areas.

                          ____________________