Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today applauded Senate passage of a bill that ensures seniors can continue seeing their doctors, provides funding for community health centers and extends health insurance for children. The House passed H.R. 2, the bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, on March 26, and it now goes to President Obama for his signature.

The bill permanently repeals the flawed Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) that for years has caused uncertainty for seniors and their doctors. The bill also provides $7.2 billion in funding over two years for community health centers, and it extends through FY2017 the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which helps make sure low-income children have access to health coverage.

“Seniors can rest assured that they will be able to continue to see their doctors now that Congress has passed a real solution to repeal the flawed Medicare payment formula. And the most vulnerable members of our communities will continue to have access to affordable health care because of critical funding for community health centers.

“I am pleased that after years of so-called annual fixes, Congress has agreed on a permanent solution that provides certainty for seniors and their doctors. I am also pleased the bill recognizes that we need health care options that work for everyone. It supports community health centers that provide affordable, comprehensive care and are a critical part of our health care system.

“Passing this bill moves our country in the direction we should be going with health care reimbursement – from volume to value,” Larsen said.

Larsen voted in favor of H.R. 2.

Many Washington state and national organizations support H.R. 2 and the positive direction it moves the country.

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