American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) officials lauded a proposed federal budget agreement concerning Medicare on Wednesday.
“The proposed bipartisan budget agreement bodes well for patients who depend on Medicare for their coverage, as well as for health-related agencies, especially the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, that have seen their budgets slashed by Congress over the past four years," AAFP President Wanda Filer said. "Not only does the proposal avert a catastrophic default on the U.S. debt limit, but it also contains provisions that will mitigate draconian premium increases for millions of Medicare Part B enrollees."
Filer said the provisions will ensure some degree of continued health security for the nation's disabled and senior citizens.
“While we are concerned about the extension of payment cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act, the bill does offer some encouragement for primary care in America," Filer said. "By lifting the spending caps for nondefense programs, the proposal will allow Congress to fund the Agency on Healthcare Research and Quality, which conducts primary care research that is valuable for family physician practices; the National Health Service Corps, which provides scholarships and loan repayment for family physicians who practice in underserved areas; and Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, which funds education and training for aspiring family physicians."
Filer said the AAFP was also glad to seen Congress working to lessen the differences in payment between hospitals and physicians.
