Adam Supports Legislation to Support Medicare Physicians; Patients
December 9, 2010
Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement regarding his support for legislation that will fix a projected 25% cut in Medicare physician payments:
“In order to prevent a 25 percent cut in Medicare physician payments next year and ensure patient stability, Congress passed a one-year fix to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, which is used to calculate physician payments. The formula called for a 25 percent cut to physician payments next year, effective January 1, 2011.
“With our seniors in mind, I supported this legislation because it will avert devastating cuts to Medicare and provide certainty for both patients and physicians.
“However, this short-term solution is not enough. Congress must find a permanent and fully paid-for solution to the SGR problem so that physicians and patients are not repeatedly faced with pending, massive cuts. I will continue working with my colleagues to address these issues and I am hopeful that we will find a permanent solution for our nation’s doctors and seniors.”
“The one-year fix to the SGR is fully paid for and will not add to the deficit.”
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