Dear Friend,

Americans receive some of the best health care in the world, when they can access it. But too often, cost prohibits people from getting insurance or adequate coverage and seeking care when they need it. America’s seniors – who live on fixed incomes and often have significant medical needs – are particularly vulnerable to the rising cost of health care. Medicare has a long track record of providing them with access to affordable, quality care, and Congress must make the tough decisions necessary to keep the program strong.

Last month, the House passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act to prevent significant cuts in the fees paid to doctors to treat Medicare patients. The 10.6% cut threatens seniors’ ability to find doctors willing to treat them. In low-income and rural areas, where a high number of America’s seniors live and a shortage of doctors is common, the effect could be especially devastating. To keep their practices going, many doctors would relocate or simply refuse to treat seniors enrolled in Medicare. To prevent this from happening, 355 members of the House – both Republicans and Democrats alike – came together and passed this common sense solution to ensure our seniors have access to the quality health care they need.

The Senate came together to prevent these drastic Medicare cuts by passing the bill this week. Once again, the vote was overwhelming: 69-30. Now the legislation will head to the President’s desk, where I hope he will sign it quickly.  

For more information on legislation affecting the Medicare program, please visit the On the Issues section of the 8th District Online Office. 

Sincerely,

Brad Ellsworth