U.S. Congressman John Boozman 3rd District of Arkansas

Medicare

As an optometrist who practiced in the Third District of Arkansas for 25 years, I know firsthand how important Medicare is to Arkansas' seniors and those who are disabled.  While Medicare has helped millions of Americans live happier and healthier lives, the program has failed to keep up with the advancements the medical field has seen since its inception.

The Medicare program was in need of some modernization so that seniors and the disabled could benefit from new technologies and advancements made in the health care field.  For this reason, I voted for the “Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003”, which President Bush signed into law in December 2003. This new voluntary program guarantees real savings and choice to seniors looking for prescription drug coverage. Additional benefits for Arkansas’ low-income seniors are also included in the program.

In addition, I have consistently opposed annual cuts to Medicare reimbursements to doctors. Because physician reimbursements are so low under the Medicare program, many doctors around the country are no longer treating Medicare beneficiaries. The formula which calculates these reimbursements is desperately out-of-date. Until Congress can determine a formula which accurately reimburses physicians, it is vital that we prohibit further drops in reimbursements to our health care personnel, thus allowing our doctors to continue treating Medicare beneficiaries.

We also need to make sure that Medicare has the resources to deliver on its promise of a secure and healthy retirement for today's and tomorrow's seniors. I promise to work with my colleagues in the House, both Democrat and Republican, to strengthen Medicare so that the program can continue to provide innovative care and benefits to our nation's seniors and disabled.

You can find more information at  www.medicare.gov

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Medicare: Payments to Physicians 

Medicare Payment Policies