Preserving Access to Physicians

A formula known as the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) governs spending growth for physicians’ services provided under the Medicare program and determines physician payments.  This formula, put in place in 1998, is widely recognized as flawed, jeopardizing access to care for our nation’s seniors.  In 2011, the SGR would have reduced physician payments by more than 20%.  Since 2003, Congress has passed a series of bills to override scheduled reductions.  

I have voted with my colleagues to block these scheduled cuts in Medicare physician payments because of my concerns about the impact such cuts would have on the provision of health care.  Most recently, with my support, a one-year postponement of the cut in the Medicare physician payment passed the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by President Obama on December 15, 2010 (P.L. 111-309).  This legislation also extends a 2.2 percent increase in payments passed in June.  

I will continue working to ensure that seniors are able to see their physicians.