[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT REFORM ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
3961, the Medicare Physician ``Payment Reform Act. We recently made 
history when we passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for 
America Act and now we must pass H.R. 3961 to guarantee access to 
physician-provided benefits in Medicare.
  As we work to overhaul our flawed system to improve health security 
for all Americans, we must fix policies that consistently threaten to 
reduce access to care for seniors and people with disabilities. H.R. 
3962 makes substantive improvements to the Medicare program. We lower 
Medicare drug costs, eliminate cost sharing for preventive services, 
and strengthen federal oversight on deceptive marketing practices in 
the Medicare Advantage program. Unfortunately, unless we act, Medicare 
physicians will face a 21 percent rate cut in less than 2 months. So, 
too, will physicians serving military members, retiree and families in 
TRICARE, where rates are linked to Medicare payments.
  We need to fix that problem and create a new payment system that will 
fairly and adequately reimburse doctors. Time and again we have shied 
away from permanently fixing the Medicare payment system. This is a 
time for big ideas and bold health care changes. The time to act is 
now. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3961.

                          ____________________