[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take a moment to 
express my enthusiastic support for H.R. 6331, the Medicare 
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which amends titles XVII 
and XIX of the Social Security Act and extends expiring provisions 
under the Medicare program. H.R. 6331 not only prevents the 10.6 
percent pay cut to physicians scheduled to take effect July 1 while 
maintaining current payment levels for the rest of 2008, but it 
replaces the additional 5.4 percent cut scheduled on January 1, 2009 
with a 1.1 percent increase in Medicare physician payments. By 
preventing these cuts, suppliers will be able to anticipate the costs 
that they will incur and will be less likely to withdraw from the 
program. H.R. 6331 also has a very positive outcome for beneficiaries 
as well. The provisions will improve choice and access to health care 
providers by changing the network requirements for the Medicare 
Advantage Private Fee for Service Plan. Further the bill will reduce 
cost-sharing for mental health services and increase coverage for 
preventive services.
  These policy improvements will translate into significant relief for 
the national medical community, including the 21 hospitals in the 
Illinois Seventh Congressional District; a district which also has some 
of the most medically-underserved constituents of any in this nation. 
Many of these individuals are Medicare beneficiaries that seek hundreds 
of Chicago doctors to provide Medicare services. Therefore, it is in 
the best interest of my constituents as well as Medicare providers, 
suppliers, and recipients across this nation that Congress enacts H.R. 
6331, The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act. As a 
testament to the importance of this issue to Chicago, I received over 
50 calls within the last few days urging me to support this bill. I 
stand with these constituents and Chicago more broadly to support this 
bill.
  I would like to thank Chairman Rangel for spearheading this 
legislation. I have fought and will continue to advocate vigorously in 
Congress alongside my colleagues for the improvement of Medicare 
resources in support of Medicare providers, suppliers, and 
beneficiaries.

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