[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14233]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE GERIATRIC AND CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Geriatric and Chronic Care Management Act, an important piece of 
legislation that would authorize Medicare coverage of geriatric 
assessment and care management for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
  Americans are living longer than ever, with the average life 
expectancy rising to 80 years-old for women and 74 years-old for men. 
While this is a positive development, there are costs associated with 
the aging of America. As seniors live longer, they face greater risks 
of disease and disabilities, such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, 
stroke and heart disease.
  Geriatricians are physicians who are uniquely trained to help care 
for the aging and elderly. By promoting a comprehensive approach to 
health care, including wellness and preventive care, geriatricians can 
help seniors live longer and healthier lives.
  It is critical that our nation have a sufficient number of 
geriatricians to help manage the aging of the baby-boom generation. 
Unfortunately, there are currently only 9,000 certified geriatricians, 
and that number is expected to decline dramatically in the coming 
years. Of the approximately 98,000 medical residency and fellowship 
positions supported by Medicare in 1998, only 324 were in geriatric 
medicine and geriatric psychiatry. The Alliance for Aging Research 
estimates that the U.S. will need approximately 36,000 geriatricians to 
counter the aging population.
  However, significant barriers exist that prevent physicians from 
entering geriatrics. A MedPac survey found that Medicare's low 
reimbursement rates serve as a major obstacle to recruiting new 
geriatricians. Due to their higher level of chronic disease and 
multiple prescriptions, seniors require additional care to ensure 
proper diagnosis and treatment. Medicare's reimbursement rates do not 
factor the complex needs of elderly patients. Because geriatricians 
treat seniors exclusively, they are especially affected by Medicare's 
low reimbursement rates.
  The legislation I am introducing today would remedy this problem, so 
that Medicare beneficiaries can more effectively manage their chronic 
diseases. The Geriatric and Chronic Care Management Act would utilize 
the existing Medicare fee-for-service system to provide a new, limited 
assessment and care management benefit to beneficiaries with multiple 
chronic conditions. I urge all of my colleagues to join me as 
cosponsors of this important legislation.

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