Time Is Running Out! Act Now to Repeal Medicare's Flawed SGR Formula
"My husband and I are in our late 70s. We live on a limited fixed income. He is a diabetic that has had a heart attack. I am being treated for high blood pressure and have had both knees replaced. Without Medicare we would not be able to buy our medications or [pay] doctor bills. Please save the Medicare Program." – Loretta S. (Moore, OK)
Like Loretta, the threat of Medicare cuts affects many Americans. For too long Congress has been passing short-term fixes to the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, leaving the threat of cuts in place year after year. With each temporary patch, patients feel more unsettled about the long-term stability of Medicare.
The SGR formula remains a roadblock to successful health care delivery reform because of the uncertainty it creates for patients and physicians alike.
What can you do? Tell Congress to make caring for America’s seniors a priority by repealing the SGR!
Greetings,
I am an extremely concerned constituent concerned about the future of Medicare.
Congress recently passed the 17th short-term patch to the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. With the passage of yet another temporary patch, the flawed SGR formula remains in place and I become more concerned over my access to health care.
Did you know the cumulative cost of patches is now over $169 billion, which is more than the cost of a permanent fix? Passing temporary patches is short-sighted and fiscally irresponsible.
With another steep SGR payment cut scheduled for spring 2015 and Congress on summer recess, now is the time to support physicians and their patients and permanently repeal the flawed formula. I urge you to keep patients in mind and act now before it’s too late. Repeal the flawed SGR formula.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
