Amata Pleased with Passage of “Doc Fix” Bill
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement on the recent passage of the bill commonly known as the "Doc Fix".
"I could not be more pleased with the overwhelming, bi-partisan support for this important legislation," said Amata. "This bill is especially important to American Samoa, where most of our population uses either Medicare or Medicaid," stated Amata.
Once passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President, the bill will change how Dr.'s who serve Medicare and Medicaid patients will be reimbursed based on a quality of care standard as opposed to one of quantity. This will drive down medical costs by eliminating unnecessary Dr. visits and procedures.
The legislation will also provide a permanent solution to the massive reimbursement cuts that were previously solved by seemingly never-ending stop-gaps passed by Congress the past several years.
The House bill also extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and for community health centers for two years. CHIP currently covers 8 million middle- and low-income children, and community health centers serve 22.7 million patients nationwide.
"Dr.'s now have the certainty in their reimbursements that they need to ensure continued care of Medicare and Medicaid patients," said Amata. "I am confident that the bill will get through the Senate and signed into law by the President," concluded Amata.
