Background on Congress' failure to act to preserve Medicare
Congress Fails To Act
…Thursday June 26, 2008 - Senate Republicans again blocked Democrats from passing a bill that would have erased the 10.6% cut to doctors that see Medicare patients. Generally Republicans and the President objected to the bill because it would pay for the physician relief by trimming payments to private insurers. Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, voted against HR 6331, to preserve the right to bring the bill up for a vote again. Senator Reid in his closing remarks, after the vote, indicated that the issue would be brought back before the Senate within 10 days. In recent years, Congress has found a way to block such cuts. However this year Congress adjourned for its one-week July 4th recess without fixing the scheduled 10.6 percent cut in the Medicare payments to Physicians.
Late on Friday June 27th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), announced that it would put on a "temporary hold" on any cuts in physician payments for 10 days. When confronted with a similar situation in the past CSM has issued payments on time at the lower rate paying the difference after Congress fixed the problem. In addition on Monday June 30th, CMS announced that Medicare payments to physicians are scheduled be cut another 5.4 percent in 2009.
While there is little doubt Congress, does not want to face millions of angry seniors at the polls come November, They must act quickly when they return to Washington the week of July 7 to prevent the cuts in payments to the 600,000 plus doctors who treat Medicare patients. HR.6331 in addition to fixing the physician payment problem; would strengthen low-income protections against rising Medicare costs; expand coverage for preventive care; reduce co-payments for mental health services; and strengthen consumer protections.
What Congress must do to insure the long-term viability of Medicare is develop better tools to address Medicare's;
Accountability
Insuring that all those involved in the Medicare system are accountable. This is a shared responsibility between Congress, CMS, providers, plans, and beneficiaries. Each must be sure to reward value and quality while discouraging misuse, overuse and under-use of care.
Creating incentives to encourage that the right care is provided to beneficiaries at the right time and in the right setting based on evidence based best practices
Development of Medicare drug formularies based on effectiveness and value (cost and quality) rather than rebates
Creating incentives to encourage beneficiaries to be true partners in medical care, including active participation in decision making around different care options
Measurement and reporting of outcomes of care, both hospital and clinic based, as well as health plan accountability measures
Geographic areas receiving Medicare payments that are higher than the “national average” or benchmark level should be required to demonstrate improved quality or outcomes commensurate with the increased payments or have their payments reduced
Affordability
Making Medicare affordable for all beneficiaries while sustainable for future generations
Congress should equitably fund Medicare to make premiums affordable nationally
CMS should be authorized to negotiate drug prices from pharmaceutical manufacturers provided that this does not have a material impact on access to a broad spectrum of drugs
Accessibility
Guaranteeing Medicare beneficiaries have access to timely, quality care that can improve and sustain their quality of life.
Expansion of Medicare benefits to include:
Preventive care across a beneficiary’s life, not just at enrollment
Care coordination for complex or chronic conditions
Mental Health parity
Altering physician toward a system that rewards primary care and recognizes the quality and value provided to ensure continued access to best care for all beneficiaries
Ensuring that a full array of plan choices remain available – Medicare Advantage, Cost, Supplement and private fee-for-service plans - and that local plans are supported as viable options for the communities they serve
Redesigning Medicare Part D to offer a less bewildering array of choices with the goal of simplicity and providing beneficiaries with access to affordable and safe drugs, including safe importation.
To address the immediate problem we need you to demand that Congress stop the pending cut in physician payments;
Send an Email to your Senator(s); or
Call your Senator's office. Use our toll-free number--1-866-622-2184-- to connect to the Capitol Switchboard and then ask for your Senator by name.
As a constituent, you urge the Senator to support the H.R. 6331. Republicans in the House supported the bill by more than a 2 to 1 margin.
A vote against H.R. 6331 is a vote against seniors.
Seniors on fixed incomes are also struggling with rising food and fuel costs. Medicare improvements in the bill will help seniors across the country.
A recent survey found that almost 90 percent of Americans believe that improving programs to protect seniors against rising Medicare costs should be a priority for Congress this year.
When you are finished emailing or calling your Senator(s), please pass this alert on to others. It's a great way to get others involved in advocacy-ask them to make a call to improve Medicare!
In addition, to insure the long-term viability of Medicare reform efforts of the Minnesota Senior Federation, we especially need your continued financial support.
Issues and Activism 
