Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 3-month SGR patch as it is important to ensure that seniors will still be able to see a doctor after January 1 if they are sick. I am firmly committed to finally repealing and replacing the SGR, and I fully support the bipartisan bill we advanced unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee for this purpose. Our next step is to find a common House position with our friends on Ways and Means to finally say good-bye to the SGR. Most importantly, I am glad to see that this deal extends the Medicare-Dependent Hospital and Low-Volume programs, which are critical for our rural hospitals in southwest Virginia. If these programs are not extended, Virginia hospitals in total would lose more than $10 million in Medicare reimbursements next year at a time when they are already being hit hard by new costs and deep cuts from ObamaCare. At least eight hospitals in my district benefit from these two essential programs that keep the doors open in some economically distressed areas and provide health care access to rural constituents. For that reason, I am proud to support this legislation and stand up for rural health care and our seniors.”