THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

15

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES congress TO RE-EVALUATE the MEDICARE formula for computing payments to doctors or take other measures to avert future reductions in payments for services.

 

 

     WHEREAS, approximately forty-three million elderly and disabled individuals are insured by Medicare; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that the Medicare program will spend over sixty billion dollars in payments for services provided by doctors and other health care professionals; and

 

     WHEREAS, a proposed cut of 5.1 per cent in Medicare spending for payments for services provided by doctors was proposed; and

 

     WHEREAS, Congress deferred the cut, and froze the current rates for payments for services instead; and

 

     WHEREAS, Congress also established a pay-for-performance system that enables doctors to qualify for a 1.5 per cent bonus if they report data on the quality of their care using measures specified by the federal government; and

 

     WHEREAS, there has been concern expressed regarding federal agencies setting benchmarks for care; and

 

     WHEREAS, while Congress has deferred the cut in Medicare spending for payments for services, future payments are unlikely to keep pace with inflation; and

 

     WHEREAS, doctors may face even greater cuts in Medicare spending for payments for services next year; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the United States Congress is requested to re-evaluate the Medicare formula for computing payments to doctors or take other measures to avert future reductions in Medicare spending for payments for services; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Hawaii Congressional Delegation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Medicare; Payments