We Need a Long-term Medicare Solution
"I fear that my health care access and its quality may suffer... due to low reimbursement rates."
- Charles P. (Pueblo, CO)
The Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula impedes access to health care. The constant fear of SGR cuts has resulted in some doctors choosing to retire rather than deal with program instability. Each time the government delays repeal of the SGR formula the cost of much-needed reform could soar even higher, jeopardizing patients' ability to access care.
A new report issued by the Congressional Budget Office, "The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023," now estimates the cost to repeal the SGR to be about half of what it would have cost last year. This provides the perfect window for Congress to be fiscally responsible and take action to eliminate this flawed formula.
Tell Congress to repeal the SGR and find long-term Medicare solutions!
Dear [Representative],
I write to you as a constituent concerned about Medicare and worried about my access to health care. The flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula creates uncertainty for patients and physicians alike, and threatens delivery of care for the millions of Americans who rely on Medicare.
The Congressional Budget Office, in a new report, "The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023," estimates that the cost to repeal the SGR is about half the cost of repeal in 2012. NOW is the time to be fiscally responsible and act to repeal the SGR. The potential cost of delay is too much. We need to improve the affordability and quality of patient care as quickly as possible.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
I urge you to keep patients in mind as you repeal the SGR and find a long-term Medicare solution.
