Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. I am pleased that the House of Representatives is taking action to address some immediate concerns within the Medicare program.  This matter has regrettably become stalled in the Senate, and passage of this bill will affirm our commitment to ensuring continued access to care for America’s Medicare beneficiaries.

This measure includes a number of important provisions, including increased access to low income assistance, additional supports for rural providers and beneficiaries, and an extension of access to therapy services through 2009.  Additionally, this bill delays the impending 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursements scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2008.  Instead, it freezes payments for the remainder of 2008 and provides a modest 1.1 percent increase in 2009.  This legislative fix, although temporary, will help ensure that access to care is not compromised and physicians can continue serving our most vulnerable populations.  It is my hope that Congress will use these next 18 months as an opportunity to find a permanent and sustainable solution for the flawed reimbursement formula so that it more accurately represents the costs of providing care in the current market.

Also included in this bill is a provision to delay Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment.   Although competitive bidding was instituted to reduce spending within the already overburdened Medicare system, serious concerns have been raised over the implementation and potential consequences of this program.  H.R. 6331 halts the implementation of the competitive bidding program for one year, while making necessary improvements to the bidding process and establishing quality standards for suppliers.  This will constitute an important step towards a more efficient system that maintains the quality and access that beneficiaries deserve.

Americans everywhere are counting on this Congress to take action before July 1, to ensure that access to Medicare services is not jeopardized.  I urge my colleagues to support this bill so that lawmakers can begin to discuss long-term, viable solutions to reform and stabilize the Medicare program.