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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
SUMMARY: Yesterday 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 both Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso voted to block this important Medicare bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor,” AARP Wyoming Director Tim Summers said, “This bill would permanently replace the broken Medicare physician payment system so people in the program could continue to see their doctor.”
AARP strongly supported the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). This legislation would have permanently repealed Medicare’s flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment formula, which has required repeated Congressional action to prevent unwarranted cuts that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,” Summers said. “AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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