WALZ FIGHTS FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE

06/24/2008

Legislation will prevent cuts to Medicare payments, helping rural health providers stay afloat



(Washington, DC) – Congressman Walz continued his commitment to rural healthcare today by voting for the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). The legislation prevents a pending 10 percent payment reduction for physicians who accept Medicare patients, enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits, and improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The legislation passed the House earlier today by a vote of 355-59.

“In southern Minnesota, we have fifteen Critical Access Hospitals from Lake City to St. Peter to Pipestone,” said Walz. “These hospitals are located in rural areas and are more than a 35-mile drive from any other hospital. This legislation will make it possible for the rural hospitals that so many of us rely to keep their doors open. It will also ensure that our rural ambulances have enough money to provide services in emergency situations.”

In addition to helping rural health providers and their patients, the bill will do the following:


Physicians

· The bill eliminates the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians for the remainder of 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent update in Medicare physician payments for 2009.


Beneficiaries

· The bill extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040. This includes the “Qualified Individual” program which pays part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries with incomes of $12,480 to $14,040 a year.


· The bill adds new preventive benefits to the Medicare program and reduces beneficiary out of pocket costs for mental health care.


Pharmacies

· The bill requires prescription drug plans contracted under Medicare to:

o pay pharmacies promptly (within 14 days); and

o update the prices they will reimburse for prescription medicines at least weekly so the pharmacies know what they should get paid.


Other

H.R. 6331 makes a number of other modest changes to Medicare payments, including:

o Protecting access to therapy services by extending the exceptions process to the limits on therapy visits for beneficiaries in nursing homes.