[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 164 (Monday, December 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MEDICARE AND MEDICAID EXTENDERS ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 9, 2010

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Medicare and 
Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010. This legislation would reverse a 
scheduled reduction of 25 percent in Medicare physician payments and 
extend current Medicare payment rates through December 31, 2011.
  Though we are providing a year-long reprieve on the Medicare 
physician reimbursement problem, my strong preference is for this to be 
fixed on a permanent, long-term basis. Unfortunately, the Senate 
blocked legislation that was passed in the House that would have done 
exactly that.
  This legislation is needed so that Medicare beneficiaries are able to 
continue to have access to the care they need and to see their doctor 
of choice. It will also provide some stability for physicians that 
provide services to Medicare beneficiaries so that they and their 
practices can adequately plan for the expenses they incur in treating 
patients.
  In addition to extending current Medicare physician payment rates for 
1 year, the legislation includes extensions of important expiring 
health care provisions, including extending the Medicare therapy caps 
process, Transitional Medical Assistance which allows low-income 
families to maintain Medicaid coverage as they transition into 
employment, and the Qualifying Individual program that allows Medicaid 
to pay the Medicare Part B premiums for low-income Medicare 
beneficiaries.
  I am also pleased that the legislation extends for 2 years the 
Special Diabetes Program for Type I Diabetes and the Special Diabetes 
Programs for Native Americans. Though the Special Diabetes Program 
doesn't expire until the end of 2011, early reauthorization is vital so 
that NIH can continue existing research projects. Otherwise, NIH would 
have to shut down those projects and the potential to develop new 
treatments for Type I Diabetes would be lost.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________