BERKLEY WORKS TO PROTECT DOCTOR ACCESS FOR NEVADA MEDICARE PATIENTS

(June 24, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today voted to protect access to their doctor for Nevada seniors and millions of other Americans covered under Medicare.  The House approved The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) this afternoon on a vote of 355 to 59.  The legislation blocks a scheduled 10% cut in payments to physicians who serve Medicare patients.   

"Congress must act before the end of June to protect Nevada Medicare patients from losing access to their physicians.  This bill will protect critical access to medical care for millions of seniors and it recognizes that we cannot ask our doctors to lose money when they see someone covered under Medicare," said Berkley.  "And with the Valley's rapidly growing senior population, Las Vegas would be especially hard hit as a result of this drastic cut in reimbursement rates.  This package is a win-win-win that protects seniors, addresses the concerns of our doctors and makes good on Medicare's promise of access to quality healthcare services.  I hope the President will recognize the importance of this bill and will not seek to veto the package given the July 1st deadline for these cuts to take effect."            

Berkley noted that the legislation also enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits and improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. 

"In addition to preventing this severe cut, the bill will also allow more low income seniors to take advantage of subsidy programs, it will add additional preventive benefits, and it will lower co-pays for mental health to bring them in line with those of other health benefits."

KEY POINTS

• Eliminates the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians for the remainder of 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update in Medicare physician payments for 2009.

• Extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040. This includes the "Qualified Individual" program which pays part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries with incomes of $12,480 to $14,040 a year.

• Increases the amount of assets that low-income beneficiaries can have and still qualify for financial help with Medicare costs.

• Adds new preventive benefits to the Medicare program and reduces beneficiary out of pocket costs for mental health care.

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