It’s Only a Matter of Time Before Cuts that Could Deny Seniors Access to Healthcare Become a Reality
Mary Grealy, President, Healthcare Leadership Council
(Washington, D.C., Tuesday, August 15, 2017) – While cuts to Medicare to have not yet occurred – cuts that could deny seniors access to healthcare – it’s just a matter of time before they become a reality. Congress left for its August recess without addressing the looming threat presented by the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Although IPAB has not yet been triggered, it will inevitably do so once spending hits an arbitrary threshold. This needs to be a congressional priority when lawmakers return to Washington.
In response to the immediate need to repeal IPAB, nearly 800 groups from across the country, representing every state and nearly everyone who receives, provides, or pays for healthcare are urging Congress to remove this clear and present danger to beneficiaries’ healthcare.
Mary Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, says Congress needs to act when it returns from recess:
SOUNDBITE #1:
FIFTY-FIVE MILLION AMERICANS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN MEDICARE. IN THE FACE OF THIS THREAT TO THEIR HEALTHCARE, CONGRESS MUST WORK SWIFTLY AND IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER TO REPEAL IPAB. THIS SHOULD OCCUR AS SOON AS LAWMAKERS RETURN FROM THEIR AUGUST RECESS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION – LIKE RESTRICTED ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL TREATMENTS AND DIAGNOSTIC CARE – ARE SIMPLY TOO GREAT.
SOUNDBITE #2:
BIPARTISAN BILLS ARE PENDING IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND HAVE STRONG SUPPORT. WHEN CONGRESS GETS BACK FROM THE AUGUST RECESS, THEY NEED TO VOTE ON THESE MEASURES AND REPEAL IPAB. IF NOT, SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO RELY ON MEDICARE WILL BE HURT.
To learn more about these efforts visit www.ProtectMyDoctorAndMe.com.