Cole Praises Medicare SGR Replacement

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. The legislation passed today permanently replaces the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) that often short-changes Medicare reimbursements for doctors. Further, the bill includes small reforms to address the broken structure of Medicare and provides a two-year extension for funding community health centers.

"Rather than relying on another temporary and expensive ‘doc-fix' solution, I am pleased that lawmakers voted to replace the SGR payment model with a system that will properly compensate physicians and allow them to offer the best possible care to their patients," said Cole. "By moving toward a payment system that protects access to quality care and prevents patients from becoming uninsured or having to resort to Obamacare, this legislation moves us further toward a patient-centered system. I am especially encouraged that the bill includes funding for community health centers, which provide invaluable access to quality care in communities where it would otherwise be scarce.

"Finally, in addition to solving the broken payment system, today's vote reflects bipartisan commitment to reforming Medicare. Without immediate changes to the program, Medicare's future and survival is uncertain. By including albeit small steps to change the structure of the program, there is hope that we can protect its existence for generations to come."

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