WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted in support of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. The legislation, which passed the Senate by a vote of 69 to 30, would block a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates and provide a permanent 35 percent increase in Medicare reimbursement rates for Alaska’s physicians. Today’s vote sends the legislation to the White House.
“Today’s vote was a victory for Alaska’s Medicare beneficiaries. The Medicare problem has risen to a crisis level in Alaska. Not a day goes by when my office doesn’t receive a phone call or a letter from a Medicare constituent who can’t access a primary care provider. The Alaska-specific fix is estimated to increase Medicare reimbursement rates permanently by 35 percent. I was pleased to work with Senator Stevens in making this a reality. This will bring the Alaska Medicare and Medicaid rates to the same level, and will significantly increase access to primary care providers for all of Alaska’s Medicare beneficiaries.”