Texans Avert Medicare Crisis

I wanted to bring to your attention the damage that our economy, Texans, and Texas doctors avoided this week because of swift action by President Obama and Senate Democratic leaders. Earlier this week, President Obama signed legislation that delayed a scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare reimbursement rates and extended unemployment insurance and COBRA health benefits to Americans who lost their jobs. These vital programs faced an unnecessary and unexpected roadblock caused by Republican Senator Jim Bunning, who was more concerned with making a political point than with the well being of the American people.

The personal and fiscal impact of these programs to our state is immeasurable. Repealing the Medicare cuts alone will prevent a $980 million a year loss for care of elderly and disabled patients in our state, and they will prevent annual cuts averaging $20,000 to each Texas physician. The President's actions to avert Medicare rate cuts helped 215,760 employees, 2,455,457 Medicare patients, and 852,625 TRICARE patients in Texas.

On Wednesday, President Obama urged Congress to finish their work on health care and schedule an up or down vote. The President anticipates a health care vote in the House by March 18.