December 14, 2010

Dear Friends,

On Thursday, Congress passed the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid recipients can continue seeing their current doctor and get the medical care they need. The bill, which passed with near-unanimous consent and the support of the American Medical Association, prevents significant cuts to hospitals and other health care providers.

Specifically, the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010:

• Works to stabilize Medicare. Reimbursements to Medicare physicians were scheduled to decrease 25% starting January 1, 2011. This bill maintains physician payment rates for one year. Without this action, doctors may have been forced to drop treatment of Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
• Provides access to more affordable health care plans. The bill creates a health insurance exchange program to be implemented in 2014. This exchange will operate as a web portal, much like Expedia or Orbitz, and will provide you with more coverage options and allow you to pick the health care plan that is best for you.
• Helps you pay for treatment. Low- and middle-income families will be eligible for tax subsidies to assist you in paying for coverage.

I am proud to have supported this important piece of legislation that guarantees that our seniors can continue to see their doctors. Medicare beneficiaries and providers deserve a more permanent solution, and I will continue to fight for that as we move forward next year.

Sincerely,



U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre
Representing the 7th District of North Carolina

Lumberton, NC
500 North Cedar Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 735-0610
fax (910) 739-5085

Fayetteville, NC
301 Green Street, Room 218
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 323-0260
fax (910) 323-0069