Washington, D.C. –U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement today at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing titled, “The Need to Move Beyond the SGR”:  

“First I want to thank the Chairman for holding today’s hearing.  This is an important opportunity and critical next step to moving towards a permanent, stable payment system for Medicare providers.  Each year since 2002 Congress has had to come in at the 11th hour to prevent cuts to provider fees under Medicare. 

“Due to our failure to fix this fatally flawed payment system, doctors have been unable to plan for the future, and the price tag has grown each year.  It is clear we can no longer kick the can down the road.  Last Congress the House passed legislation I introduced – H.R. 3961 – which would have repealed the SGR formula, ending the cycle of short-term patches and permanently improving the way Medicare pays physicians.

“While I happen to think that my bill that passed the House last year was a good piece of legislation, I am open to other proposals.  We just have to get this perennial problem fixed.  I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and I look forward to passing a solution to this problem again this Congress.”

To view Congressman Dingell’s opening statement, click here, and to view his questioning of the panel testifying at the hearing, click here.

Congressman Dingell has for years been a leading advocate for health care reform and permanently improving the way Medicare pays physicians.  He continues vigorous oversight in the 112th Congress to see that Congress moves forward to passing a solution to this problem and ensure that the implementation of and funding for the Affordable Care Act law, of which he is the author, are done in a fully fair manner that benefits all Americans.

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