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Medicare
Bill Enhances Health Care for South Dakotans
By Rep. Stephanie
Herseth Sandlin
July 10, 2008
During my travels
across South Dakota recently, I had the chance to speak with Medicare
beneficiaries as well as health care providers about a pending 10.6
percent cut in physician reimbursement payments that was set to take
effect July 1st. Many of those I spoke with, including doctors and hospital
administrators, expressed concerns that this cut in payments to doctors
would not only limit the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to access
affordable healthcare but also threaten the quality of healthcare available
to residents in communities all across the state. As about one out of
every six South Dakotans would have been directly affected by the scheduled
cuts, this is a vitally important issue for our state.
Before leaving for the 4th of July Recess, the House voted overwhelmingly
for the Medicare Improvement Act which would put a stop to the payment
cuts for eighteen months and provide a slight increase next year, in
addition to including other important provisions for beneficiaries and
care providers.
By a vote of 355-39, including 129 Republicans, an overwhelming bipartisan
majority in the House sent a strong message to the Senate and the President
that changes need to be made to Medicare in order to better serve beneficiaries.
The Senate, however, in June initially failed by one vote to move forward
with this important legislation, thus allowing the cuts to take effect
on July 1st. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services then announced
that it would not process new claims under the new payment system until
July 15th to allow more time for negotiation in Congress and with the
Administration.
I’m pleased that after returning from the July 4th recess, the Senate
was able to approve the bill with strong bipartisan support and send
it to the President. This is a real victory for South Dakota’s seniors
and all families who depend on reliable, quality health care.
While some have falsely claimed that the reforms would eliminate certain
plans under Medicare Advantage, let me be clear: the bill does not eliminate
any health insurance plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. Instead,
this bill makes popular and important reforms that will level the playing
field between standard Medicare and plans available under the Medicare
Advantage program. Despite the opposition of the President and a minority
in both houses of Congress, I’m pleased that the strong votes in both
chambers of Congress signal a sufficient bipartisan veto-proof margin
which I believe will overcome the expected presidential veto.
Again, the bill does not eliminate the private fee-for-service plan
option for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. It simply levels the playing
field to ensure that these plans meet standards that apply to other
plans. Medicare Advantage private fee-for service plans remain as an
option for beneficiaries. The bill also helps to ensure that all Medicare
beneficiaries, including those enrolled in traditional Medicare and
Medicare Advantage, continue to have access to quality, affordable healthcare
for years to come, by not directing a disproportionate amount of Medicare’s
limited resources simply to boost insurance companies’ bottom lines.
The mischaracterization of the Medicare Improvement Act by some in the
health insurance industry and their allies has served not only to frighten
Medicare beneficiaries, but also to demonstrate the lengths to which
some in the industry will go to protect their own pocketbooks. In fact,
the Medicare Improvement Act includes common-sense reforms that will
ensure health care providers continue to participate in Medicare, eliminates
unnecessary government waste, and helps to ensure the financial viability
of Medicare for present and future Americans who rely on this essential
program for high-quality, affordable healthcare.
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