Jon L. Christensen: “although I have many problems with this bill, including the limited extension of unemployment, as well as the lack of…”

“although I have many problems with this bill, including the limited extension of unemployment, as well as the lack of relief for all providers of Medicare, I rise to support the rule and the underlying bill because this short extension is better than nothing, and it is likely all we can get right now. I also support the bill and the rule because it addresses another very important issue affecting health care for countless Americans. It does what I have always thought was possible anyway, which is to clarify the authority of the Administrator of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reverse the cuts, and hopefully revise the way provider payments for physicians are determined. This is not a perfect solution, because Congress should have reversed the cut once and for all, but it may also help set a precedent for issues such as this in the future. There were many measures I hoped would be passed and issues addressed in a lame duck session this year, and reversing the cuts in Medicare provider payments was one of the important ones. Health care providers have borne 4 cuts over the past 10 years and another cut is expected within two years. This Is in addition to the fact that the payment schedule, which barely allows doctors to keep their office open, was erroneously determined. This administration and CMS are forcing good doctors and other providers out of practice and denying quality health care to increasing numbers of Americans.”