[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 101 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE PATIENTS' ACCESS TO PHYSICIANS ACT (PAPA)

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2006

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, this legislation responds to the fact that 
physicians are currently scheduled to receive a significant reduction 
in their Medicare payments over the next 5 to 10 years. The Medicare 
Trustees have projected that Medicare payments to physicians will be 
cut by 4.6 percent in January. And, if Congress does not act, 
physicians will see a cumulative cut of approximately 37 percent 
through 2015. Providers in Michigan alone stand to lose $8 billion over 
this time period if the cuts that are forecast are allowed to take 
effect.
  My legislation would provide a temporary halt to these Medicare 
physician payment cuts. It would provide a positive physician update, 
expected to be between 2 and 3 percent, in both 2007 and 2008. The 
update would reflect physician practice cost inflation. This follows 
the advice of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's recommended 
formula of increases in physician practice costs minus productivity 
adjustment.
  This legislation would also protect beneficiaries from any additional 
premium increases that would otherwise be caused by this change in 
physician payments for these 2 years. For seniors living on fixed 
incomes, unexpected increases in their living expenses can impose 
hardship. The Part B premium already consumes 9 percent of the average 
Social Security check. Thus, the bill ensures that beneficiaries would 
not see an increase in beneficiary premiums due to Congressional action 
to increase physician payments.
  It is critical that Congress protect the right of beneficiaries to 
see their doctor in Medicare. The vast majority of seniors and people 
with disabilities are and will remain in Medicare where they have the 
freedom to choose their own doctor and get the care that is right for 
them.
  While ideally we will develop a new payment system that integrates 
payment and quality, we do not have enough information and data to 
implement such a system at this time. My legislation would provide a 
temporary increase for doctors while Congress continues to work toward 
a permanent solution.

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