Max Baucus: “unless we act, on July 1 the law will cut Medicare payments to doctors by 10 percent. Today, we have an opportunity to…”

“unless we act, on July 1 the law will cut Medicare payments to doctors by 10 percent. Today, we have an opportunity to vote on proceeding to a bill that will stop that cut. In addition to averting the 10-percent payment cut, the bill on which we will vote today will also make important improvements for beneficiaries. It will help those with very modest incomes to get the help they need, and it will expand access to preventative benefits in Medicare. We should all agree that prevention is critical to moving our health care system from one that treats disease to one focused on wellness. The bill includes a provision intended to give a boost to primary care physicians. These represent a downpayment on changes that I would like to consider in the near future to advance the role of our front-line physicians. The bill will improve access to health care in rural areas. The bill includes many policies from the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act, all supported so strongly by so many Senators. The bill will lend a hand to pharmacists. Pharmacists face so many challenges right now. And the bill will help ambulance providers. Today, these first responders must contend with record high and rising gas prices. That is what this bill will do. It is a good bill, it is a balanced bill, and it is a bill that my colleagues should be proud to support.”