[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1417]]
      MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. 
Due to a flight delay on June 24, 2008, I was unable to cast my vote in 
favor of this important piece of legislation.
  The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act is critical 
to my district as it stops the scheduled cut in physician payment rates 
under the Medicare program and provides for a 1.1 percent increase in 
2009. If these cuts are not halted by Congressional action, under 
current law, physicians across the country are to receive a 10.6 
percent cut in their Medicare payment rates. This will lead to a loss 
of health care access for Medicare beneficiaries in every Congressional 
district. Short of a permanent fix to the sustainable growth rate for 
doctors, it is imperative that Congress pass short-term extensions, 
such as this, to ensure that physicians around the country are 
reimbursed by Medicare for the care they are providing to our Nation's 
seniors. It is important to recognize that many of these doctors own 
small businesses and the services they provide to their communities are 
undeniable and necessary. We must ensure that Medicare beneficiaries 
have access to doctors, and passing this legislation will ensure access 
to care.
  While I was disappointed that the bill included cutting Medicare 
Advantage payments in order to pay for the physician payment increase, 
I believe that the underlying issue of physician payments must take 
precedence in order to preserve access for Medicare beneficiaries with 
their local physicians.
  As the President has given Congress until July 15 to act on this 
issue, I look forward to having an opportunity to pass legislation to 
fix this issue for our physicians and Medicare beneficiaries.

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