Congress Stays The Course To Protect People And Physicians, USA

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 18 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Center for Medicare Advocacy applauds the courageous members of Congress who passed H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008."

"This legislation preserves the most important choice for Medicare beneficiaries - the choice of doctor," said Judith Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. "Had the physicians' pay cut been allowed to go into effect, Medicare beneficiaries would have been left without care. The President's veto would have cut doctors' pay for the sake of preserving all the unfair overpayments to private insurers."

The new legislation makes significant improvements in care for all Medicare beneficiaries. It reduces the amount they will have to pay for Medicare-covered mental health services, and makes it easier for Medicare to approve coverage for new preventive services. The Act protects beneficiaries with low incomes by extending the Qualified Individual (QI) program that helps them pay for their Part B premiums and by making much needed changes to the definitions of income and assets for these assistance programs.

"The bipartisan efforts that saved H.R. 6331 are a message to the country that Congress, despite the many obstacles placed in its path, values Medicare and cares about the health and well-being of older and disabled people," says Ms. Stein. "We hope this is the beginning of real reform."

The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides education, advocacy, and legal assistance to help elders and people with disabilities obtain Medicare and necessary health care. The Center was established in 1986. We focus on the needs of Medicare beneficiaries, people with chronic conditions, and those in need of long-term care. The organization is involved in writing, education, and advocacy activities of importance to Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. The Center's central office is in Connecticut, with offices in Washington, DC and throughout the country.

www.medicareadvocacy.org