[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1401]]
      MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for 
Patients and Providers Act will delay cuts in physician payments under 
Medicare until next year. I hope that this is the last temporary delay 
and next year we will implement a permanent fix to this problem. It's 
important to Medicare patients and physicians that there is a 
continuity of payments so physicians can continue to treat Medicare 
patients and Medicare patients do not lose access to the physician most 
familiar with their medical needs.
  When we implement a permanent fix to the Medicare physician payment 
cuts, I hope to address the issue of the Medicare physician geographic 
payment discrepancy that is faced by many areas in California and 
across the country. One of these areas is Sonoma County, in my 
District. This inconsistency has led to doctor's reimbursements being 
based upon geographic location and not the true cost of providing 
services. Because of this discrepancy, doctors in Sonoma County receive 
a lower payment for the same services than doctors in next door Marin 
County and this discrepancy is causing doctors to leave Sonoma County. 
Congress must act to fix this discrepancy and ensure that physicians 
with Medicare patients can continue to afford to see Medicare patients 
regardless of where a practice is located.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6331, Medicare Improvements for 
Patients and Providers Act and look forward to working together to 
provide a permanent solution to the Medicare physician payment issues 
so that our Nation's seniors receive the best possible care from the 
physician who knows the patient the best.

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