Advocates for permanent solution

Washington, DC — Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) applauds the voice vote supporting the temporary fix to the flawed SGR formula.  The Senate amendment to H.R. 5712 – The Physician Payment and Therapy Relief Act –will extend funding for one month to ensure that seniors have access to the same doctors they do today and to fairly reimburse doctors for their services. 

“We cannot continue to kick this can down the road,” said Dingell.  “I continue to support a permanent fix to the flawed SGR formula, like the one we passed in the House of Representatives last year.  I am frustrated that the Republicans in the United States Senate thwarted them from following the House’s lead on this sound policy.  While it is necessary that we pass this one-month extension today, it is far from sufficient.  When Congress comes together to address this problem again in 30 days, I urge my colleagues to pass a permanent solution, or at minimum, pass a year-long extension so that we can ensure some stability to the Medicare program.”

Two weeks ago, Congressman Dingell introduced H.R. 6427, the “Medicare Physician Payment Update Extension Act.”  This legislation would extend the current physician Medicare reimbursements for 13 additional months.  Dingell believes that a longer extension will give American seniors and physicians more peace of mind while Congress works on a permanent solution to this long-standing problem.