U.S. Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) joined Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) & Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to introduce the “Preserving Access to Medicare Act of 2008,” which provides Medicare physicians with an 18-month, positive payment update, extends expiring provisions, & is fully paid for without using controversial offsets.
This measure includes a number of provisions important to Arizona. It includes a 2-year extension of the Section 1011 program, originally sponsored by Kyl, which reimburses health care providers for the cost of complying with federal mandates requiring them to care for illegal immigrants in emergencies. Many emergency rooms in Arizona, particularly in border towns, have faced bankruptcy because of the costs of this uncompensated care. The Democratic version of this measure does not provide funding for this critical program.
“It is disappointing that the Majority has chosen a partisan route that ensures a presidential veto & jeopardizes Congress’s ability to ensure beneficiaries’ access to care,” said Kyl. “Why go through this exercise? Instead, I implore the Majority to return to the negotiating table & work with Republicans to reach a bipartisan compromise that can be signed into law before the July 1st, deadline.”
The bill also increases the physician quality reporting bonus from 1.5% to 2% in 2009 & 2010 & makes it easier for group practices to participate. Additionally, the bill includes language from the “Medicare Anesthesiology Teaching Funding Restoration Act of 2007” (S.2056), sponsored by Senators Kyl & John Rockefeller (D-W.Va), which restores full funding to programs that teach anesthesiology, such as those at the University of Arizona.
On July 1st, doctors across the country are scheduled to receive a 10.6% cut in the payments they receive for treating Medicare patients. Many of these doctors have stated they will have to stop treating seniors if these cuts take effect. Congress has had to act every year to avoid a scheduled cut.