Protect Health Care: Repeal the SGR
Access to healthcare is being undermined every year as Congress makes it harder for Medicare patients to find a doctor. Instead of placing obstacles in front of patients, our elected officials should be creating a long-term solution to the Medicare access problem.
The Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula threatens cuts to Medicare reimbursements to physicians--and that puts patients at risk of not being able to see their doctor. The SGR formula is set to decrease reimbursements by nearly 30% in 2013--a colossal deterrent for physicians seeing Medicare patients.
On top of this, each time the government delays repeal of the SGR formula, the cost of a much-needed reform soars. We have to act now before the cost of repeal grows even higher.
Don't let Congress get away with relentless cuts to health care. Repeal Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula because those covered under Medicare shouldn't have to fight to keep their doctors!
Greetings,
I am writing as your constituent to let you know, I am a Medicare voter.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
Congress has been passing temporary patches to the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) for 15 years. The time has come to pass a permanent solution. Medicare is an important issue to my family. The continuous threat of cuts in Medicare payments to physicians has resulted in the reduced ability of physicians to see Medicare patients.
Consistently passing temporary patches with the threat of future cuts leads to uncertainty for patients who rely on important healthcare programs like Medicare. Failure to act only makes future cuts steeper and escalates the costs of permanent payment reform. This is not fiscally responsible.
I urge you to PERMANENTLY end this problem -- repeal the SGR. Stand with me and all Medicare patients asking Congress to implement a more stable Medicare physician payment system that provides security for patients seeking access to care and the physicians who care for them.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
