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Medicare providers, users praise Moran's override voteBy Larry Dreiling Leaders of health care provider groups from across Kansas joined senior citizens at the Hays Senior Center, recently, in praise of their local congressman for his work in passage of new legislation touted to improve Medicare for the providers as well as patients. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-KS, was joined by a group of health care professionals on behalf of groups representing hospitals, doctors, physical therapists and pharmacists. These groups serve about 114,000 Medicare recipients in Kansas' First Congressional District. "We actually had to override President Bush's veto of this legislation which is designed to keep our doctors practicing medicine, keep our hospitals open, keep our pharmacists in our communities, designed to give you better access to medical equipment and make certain that physical therapy is available and useful to people, particularly those on Medicare," Moran said. The bill stays decreases in Medicare payments to health care providers which, in turn, encourages providers in rural America to stay in the area rather than moving to more profitable urban areas. Importantly, Moran said, the legislation fixes provisions for pharmacies, which is an issue Moran has championed since first coming to Congress. "There are seven Kansas counties that have no pharmacist at all," Moran said. "It is a trend we have got to reverse. One of the good things about this bill is prompt pay to pharmacists." The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act requires pharmacies to be reimbursed in a timely manner for prescriptions already dispensed to patients. The bill also delays the implementation of the Average Manufacturing Price payment system, which would reimburse pharmacists for less than what it costs to fill Medicaid prescriptions. "I just visited with a pharmacist in Leoti who told me she had not been paid in March for a prescription she filled for a Medicare patient in January," Moran said. "How do you stay in business when insurance companies won't pay for your services in a timely manner? This legislation at least slows down the payment system changes." The legislation also suspends for 18 months a reduction in Medicare payments to physicians, establishes new grants for mental health services to Iraq war veterans in rural areas and begins a demonstration program for integrating care in rural communities. The bill also will suspend the current bidding program for durable medical equipment. The current program could compromise Kansans' access to equipment and create more overhead costs for equipment providers, Moran said. "It seems that too often we don't have enough success in Washington," Moran said. "Finally, on an important issue that affects the health of Kansans, Congress has done something right." Joining Moran were David Wilson of Topeka, president of AARP Kansas; Fred Lucky of Topeka, Kansas Hospital Association; Dr. Michael Machen of Quinter, Kansas Medical Society; Jim Rorstrom of Hays, president of the Kansas Society of Health System Pharmacists; and Dave Sanderson of Salina, Kansas Physical Therapy Association. All five praised Moran for his override of the Bush veto, particularly Wilson. "That took a lot of courage," Wilson said. "We are so grateful for his support. This display of bipartisanship lays the groundwork both in statute and in spirit for greater health care reform. We also thank the rest of the Kansas delegation, with the exception of Sen. Sam Brownback, who voted against the Medicare legislation." Moran also received credit from Wilson for signing AARP's "Divided We Fail" pledge to work in a bipartisan manner to provide Americans with actions and answers on health and long-term financial security. According to the official dividedwefail.org roster of signatories from the Kansas congressional delegation, neither Brownback nor Rep. Tod Tiahrt have signed. "They've said they don't want to sign the pledge, but they support the idea," said Ernie Kutzley of Topeka, AARP Kansas. "It's kind of like what Jerry said. They should be elected to do what's good for us, but they don't. They want to work on party lines. This is what this whole thing is about. Let's forget about Republicans and Democrats." Others attending the event included: Mary Tritsch of Topeka, AARP Kansas; Gerald and Dianna Schmitt of Wichita, AARP volunteers; Dan Morin with the Kansas Medical Society; and Alberta Klaus of Hays, president of the AARP chapter in Hays. Moran wanted to offer special thanks to Alice Herman, director of the meal site, for hosting the forum. The legislation became public law July 15. "One of the components that determines (whether young people decide to remain in the places they grew up) is whether or not we have health care in their communities," Moran said. "Young people won't risk raising their families where they can't see a doctor or be admitted to a hospital close by and senior citizens will reluctantly move away to where there is a hospital and doctor." The session lasted about a half-hour. Moran wanted it to conclude quickly. "If there's one thing from speaking at senior meal sites I've learned, it's never intrude on lunch," Moran said. Larry Dreiling can be reached by phone at 785-628-1117 or by e-mail at ldreiling@aol.com. 9/8/08 Date: 9/4/08 Advertisement
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