Patty Murray: “seniors in Washington State cannot get the medical care they need, and I have come to the floor today to explain the…”

“seniors in Washington State cannot get the medical care they need, and I have come to the floor today to explain the problem and to offer a solution that has the support of doctors, nurses, hospitals, and patients throughout Washington State. While many States are facing challenges in health care, the problems are especially severe in my home State, where providers are struggling to care for patients in a system that is falling down around them. There are many reasons for this crisis, but one of the most fundamental is the unfair way in which Medicare reimburses doctors and providers. Just look at what happens to the seniors I represent. They have spent their lives working hard, raising their families, and paying into the Medicare system. In fact, they have paid the same percentage of their income into Medicare as Americans from every State. But when they retire, they find that their access to health care depends upon where they happen to live. If they live in Washington State, they can expect far less access and far fewer benefits than seniors in other States. That is because Medicare reimbursement rates vary State by State. Today, those reimbursement rates don't reflect the true cost of providing care, and they are penalizing patients and providers throughout Washington.”