Health care is an issue of that concerns all of us.  While in Congress, I have sought to ensure that quality, reliable, accessible and affordable health care is available to all North Alabamians.  I believe it is critical that Congress provide the necessary avenues for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and others in medical fields, to offer the best health care and medical services possible.

* Medicare Part D:  I supported the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003.  It is part of my job as a Member of Congress to see that Medicare Part D is implemented as smoothly as possible.  I believe that Congress is prepared to provide the necessary guidance and adjustments as we become more familiar with the workings of Medicare Part D implementation.

Medicare Part D coverage began on January 1, 2006.  I am aware that many seniors have been understandably overwhelmed and confused by the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. "Dual eligibles" (for both Medicaid and Medicare) in Alabama, and around the country, have experienced problems getting their medications under the new Part D benefit.  I have written the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) Administrator McClellan on what CMS is doing to educate seniors on their Medicare Part D options.

* Medicare physician payment rates:  I remain proactive in helping to prevent cuts to Medicare physician payment rates.  I supported the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003, which mandated SGR updates of no less than 1.5% for 2004 and 2005.  I am also a co-sponsor of H.R. 2356, the Preserving Patient Access to Physicians Act of 2005 (Rep. Shaw) which sets a Medicare physician payment increase for 2006 at no less than 2.7%.

I sent a December 16, 2005 letter to Speaker Hastert encouraging the House to recede to the Senate budget reconciliation language that included a 1% increase in Medicare physician payments.  I also signed a letter in March 2005 to the Chairmen and Ranking Members on Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce committees encouraging them to review the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula.

* Medicaid.  This year will prove difficult as we struggle with the need for expanding coverage to the uninsured, while coping with large Medicaid expenses.  I remain opposed to unnecessary cuts to Medicaid, which in addition to providing health care for low-income individuals, support health care coverage for many children in Alabama and across the country.  Thirty-six percent of children in Alabama are enrolled in Medicaid.

* Tort Reform:  I supported the House-passed medical malpractice reform bill, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005.  This bill makes a number of changes to current law on medical malpractice lawsuits filed in federal and state court.




2006 Healthcare Press Releases from Rep. Bud Cramer:




Related Healthcare Links:

To access a list of all available prescription drug plans, you can visit http://www.medicare.gov  or call 800-MEDICARE (633-4227).