Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong opposition to H.R. 4015, the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 because of the passage of the Rule to this bill. I am not alone in opposing this irresponsible measure. I am joined by AARP, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, American Osteopathic Association, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc., Families USA, Medicare Rights Center, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the National Council on Aging. I strongly support providing adequate compensation to our physicians who serve Medicare patients. Medicare patients in very state make up 10 percent or more of those who have health insurance. Medicare patients and the medical payments made to their physicians and medical service providers is critical to our nation's health care economy. It is important for our seniors to know that Medicare will be there when they need it. But it is equally important that there are physicians who are willing to attend to them without going broke. That is why we have a Sustainable Growth Rate or ``SGR.'' Medicare reimbursement enables rural physicians and hospitals to remain open for business. As with any business, medical clinics and physician offices have payrolls to meet, bills to pay, and expenses to meet as they become due.…”