Jon L. Christensen: “I rise in support of H.R. 3391, the Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act. As a physician in private practice…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 3391, the Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act. As a physician in private practice for more than 20 years, I wholeheartedly applaud the work of the Ways and Means Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee in moving legislation which lifts many of the burdens placed on physicians by the Medicare program and allow us to put our patients first. Mr. Speaker, I can't tell you the number of times over the four and a half years that I have been a member of this body that I have heard horror stories from providers in my district regarding the cumbersome and burdensome Medicare billing process. They only serve to remind me of my personal experience in over 21 years of practice. Whether it is undue delays in receiving payments or repeatedly questioning information that was already provided, the current Medicare system treats physicians as suspects and requires that we spend nearly half of our time on needless paper work. It further makes hard working providers the first targets for fee reductions, repudiating their long years of training and hard work.”