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Topeka, Kansas
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Topeka, Kansas
United States
AARP Kansas Disappointed in Senate Medicare Vote
AARP Disappointed by Senate’s Vote to Block Protection of Access to Medicare Doctors
S. 1776 would have preserved access by replacing flawed payment system
On Wednesday, October 21, 2009,the U.S. Senate blocked critical legislation to protect access to doctors for the 44 million Americans who rely on Medicare. The Medicare Physician Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have replaced today’s broken doctor payment system, which calls for a 21.5 percent cut in physician pay in January. The bill failed to pass a key procedural vote in the Senate today.
“We are disappointed that Kansas Senators Roberts and Brownback both voted to block this important Medicare bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor,” said AARP Kansas State Director Maren Turner. “This bill would permanently replace the broken Medicare physician payment system so people in the program could continue to see their doctor.”
AARP strongly supports the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). This legislation permanently repeals Medicare’s flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment formula, which has required repeated Congressional action to prevent unwarranted cuts that could harm access to doctors for people in Medicare. Repealing the SGR will stop an unprecedented 21.5 percent pay cut that otherwise will occur in January 2010, and additional cuts in future years.
AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members. “We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials. AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information,” Turner concluded.
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Added: Oct 21, 2009
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