WASHINGTON D.C. – House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) today released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. H.R. 2 passed with broad bipartisan support 392-37.
“Today’s strong bipartisan vote is the result of a historic bipartisan, bicameral agreement that takes a monumental step toward strengthening and saving Medicare for our nation’s seniors while reforming mandatory spending programs to make them more fiscally solvent,” Rep. Scalise said. “For far too long, the deeply flawed Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula has caused uncertainty for millions of Medicare doctors and their patients. Until now, Congress has responded by simply kicking the can down the road and using budget gimmicks to mask the real problem. Those days are over. This legislation does away with SGR once and for all, and replaces it with an improved, structurally-sound, and patient-centered system that promotes higher quality of care for seniors. I applaud the leadership of Chairmen Upton and Ryan, and Ranking Members Green and Levin for their commitment to strengthening Medicare for seniors who need and depend on it.”