Bill Text: GA SR524 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Georgia Congressional Delegation; urged to pursue an equitable, long-term resolution; growth rate formula; medicare reimbursement for Georgia Physicians
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-31 - Senate Read and Referred [SR524 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2011-SR524-Introduced.html
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Senate
Resolution 524
By:
Senators Unterman of the 45th and Miller of the 49th
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Georgia Congressional delegation to pursue an equitable, long-term
resolution to the sustainable growth rate formula determining medicare
reimbursements for Georgia physicians; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
nearly 15 percent of Georgians are eligible for medicare coverage yet face an
acute shortage of eligible primary care physicians to choose from;
and
WHEREAS,
HealthLeaders
Media reports that "Congress' refusal to
provide a permanent fix to the formula will be a disincentive for physicians who
will likely limit patient care"; and
WHEREAS,
the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services predicts a nearly 30
percent cut will take effect January 1, 2012, when the most recent Congressional
authorization expires, and the American Medical Association warns that a failure
to prevent the cut would be a catastrophe for seniors because doctors would stop
seeing medicare patients altogether; and
WHEREAS,
the administration budget narrative for Fiscal Year 2012 states, "the
Administration is committed to working with the Congress to achieve permanent,
fiscally responsible reform and to give physicians incentives to improve quality
and efficiency while providing them with predictable payments for the care they
furnish to Medicare beneficiaries"; and
WHEREAS,
the sustainable growth rate formula was designed to index physician
reimbursements to the growth of the economy, yet most medical providers believe
it is in need of reform to an equitable, manageable, and predictable
future.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body support
the medical providers who offer exceptional care to Georgia's senior citizens
and urge the Georgia Congressional delegation to seek and support a permanent
resolution to the issues of medicare reimbursement this year.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the members of the Georgia
congressional delegation.
