[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 186 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H8146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LOOMING CRISIS FOR OUR SENIORS

  (Ms. BUERKLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to a looming 
crisis for our seniors. We are facing the very real prospect of 
millions of Americans losing their access to health care providers 
because of reductions in Medicare payments to physicians due to the 
flawed Sustainable Growth Rate, SGR, formula.
  Mr. Speaker, on January 1, 2011, the SGR formula will trigger a 27.4 
percent pay cut across the board for Medicare physician services. 
According to the AMA, in my home State of New York, Mr. Speaker, the 
cut will amount to $28,000 per physician. That loss makes it harder for 
physicians to pay for office staff, space, and equipment, which 
translates, Mr. Speaker, to decreased access to care for many patients.
  Many physicians have indicated that they will no longer accept 
Medicare patients. Our seniors, Mr. Speaker, rely on Medicare, which 
they have paid into and has been there for them.
  Mr. Speaker, doctors want to provide care to our seniors, and we 
cannot allow Medicare payment cuts to prevent doctors from serving all 
of their patients. Our doctors deserve better. Our seniors deserve 
better.

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