Washington, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz issued the following statement after the second meeting of the joint Senate-House conference committee. Schwartz’s remarks specifically on SGR delivered at the Committee are at the close of the statement.

“Americans are counting on the conference committee to provide families and businesses with stability by extending the payroll tax cut, continuing extended unemployment benefits, and addressing the Medicare physician payment rate. If we cannot reach agreement, 4.5 million Americans lose extended unemployment insurance benefits, 47 million American seniors could lose access to their doctors, and 160 million Americans will see their taxes increase by an average of $1000 a year. 

“In Pennsylvania alone, 184,000 individuals would lose their unemployment benefits, 2.3 million seniors could lose access to their doctors, and 6.7 million individuals would face a tax increase. This is unacceptable.

“We must also take action to move beyond a policy that has failed taxpayers, Medicare beneficiaries, and those on the frontlines of patient care and permanently repeal the SGR.

“America’s economy is on the rebound. In the last quarter of 2011, the U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a year and a half and December marked the 22^nd consecutive month of private sector job growth. To continue to see improved economic growth, we have to provide families and businesses with certainty and put forward solutions that spur both private sector growth and consumer demand and confidence.

“That is the action this conference committee must take.

“Failing to extend tax cuts for middle class families would mean $250 billion cut out of projected 2012 economic growth, a devastating hit to both middle-income families and the United State’s economy. And while our economy continues to strengthen, there are still millions of hardworking Americans searching for employment. Unemployment insurance is a bedrock commitment we have made to middle class families during difficult economic times. We must stand up for these families by ensuring that they can continue to meet their responsibilities to their own families through the safety net of unemployment.

“I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight for the needs of middle class families and seniors by finding common ground. There is too much at stake for this committee to fail.” 

Congresswoman Schwartz’s Statement at Conference Committee:

“Thank you, Chairman Camp.

“Exactly one month from today, physicians once again face a reduction in Medicare payments of nearly 30 percent as a result of the failed SGR formula.

“Now is the time to take action to move beyond this policy that has failed taxpayers, Medicare beneficiaries, and those on the frontlines of patient care.

“We must also address the other Medicare ‘extenders’ set to expire on March 1 by following the Senate’s lead and extending each of these important provisions.

“I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers who are as committed as I am to fiscally responsible and permanent repeal of the SGR.

“It can be done.

“The $300 billion cost of repealing the SGR is daunting. But, the cost of failing to do so is even higher.

“For far too long, we have buried the true cost of this failed policy through annual overrides of scheduled cuts and a false expectation that these cuts will eventually be made.

“But, we now have a means of ending this perennial crisis without adding to the deficit or putting seniors at risk.

“By using the savings from the reduction in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can finally eliminate the $300 billion debt that has accrued in Medicare for over a decade.

“This funding mechanism, which has gained the support of members in both parties, not only enables us to pay down the SGR debt, but also allows for a more accurate accounting of future government expenditures without increasing the deficit.

“This Committee has a choice: deny and defer this problem once again or seize the opportunity to pass a fully paid-for, permanent repeal of the SGR.

“We all agree that the rate of growth in health care spending in the United States is unsustainable.

“But, the SGR is the wrong approach to containing costs, improving value, and increasing efficiency in health care delivery.

“Failure to repeal the SGR and replace it with a meaningful payment mechanism for physicians prohibits the drive towards innovative delivery system reforms, serves as a disincentive to physician participation in Medicare, and inhibits access to doctors for millions of seniors.

“We have the opportunity and the funding mechanism. This is a question of will.

“Denying and deferring are no longer enough. I urge my colleagues around the table to work together to put an end to this unpredictable, unstable, and unsustainable policy once and for all and set Medicare on a more stable and fiscally sound path for current and future beneficiaries.” 

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