R 333

2003 -- S 0880

Enacted 06/25/03

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION TO STABILIZE THE MEDICARE

PROGRAM

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, Gibbs, and Roberts

Date Introduced: February 26, 2003

     WHEREAS, In 1997 Congress passed the Balanced Budget Act, citing the need to “slow

the growth of Medicare by $115 billion.” In reality, Medicare spending has been slashed by more

than $260 billion, seriously jeopardizing health care access for seniors and individuals with

disabilities including approximately 170,000 Rhode Islanders; and

     WHEREAS, The Medicare funding problem has reached a crisis level. Between October

1, 2002 and January 1, 2003, another round of cuts took effect, cutting hospital payments;

slashing payments to nursing homes; imposing arbitrary annual caps of $1,500 on outpatient

occupational therapy, and on physical and speech-language therapy; and an additional 4.4 percent

reduction in physician reimbursement is scheduled for March 1, 2003; and

     WHEREAS, As a result of payment reductions and inadequate reimbursements, many

beneficiaries across the nation have lost – or are at risk of losing – access to their physicians,

hospitals, Medicare+Choice plans, nursing homes, home health services and other providers on

whom they rely for care; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby memorializes the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to stabilize

the Medicare program by restoring Medicare reimbursements to providers and health

maintenance organizations and by deferring additional reductions in physician payments; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the members of the Rhode Island Congressional

Delegation to the Congress of the United States.

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LC02118

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