~ Legislation would provide fair Medicare reimbursements, help retain and recruit health care providers ~
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) reintroduced bicameral legislation that would help strengthen and protect health care for seniors in Hawaii. The Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii (PATCH) Act would provide fair Medicare reimbursements to Hawaii providers, helping retain and recruit more doctors and protect access to health care for seniors across the state.
“Hundreds of thousands of seniors rely on Medicare throughout Hawaii, yet there are numerous obstacles that prevent them from accessing the care they need,” said Senator Hirono. “Hawaii’s high cost of living and unique geography make it difficult to attract and retain physicians, further exacerbating the state’s shortage of health care professionals. That is why I am proud to support the PATCH Act, legislation that will help expand and protect access to health care across the islands by ensuring that physicians and other health professionals are being fairly compensated.”
Medicare physician payments per beneficiary in Hawaii are among the lowest in the country. While health care operating costs in Hawaii are substantially higher than in other states, its Medicare reimbursement rates do not account for those rising costs. The PATCH Act would increase health care provider payments by up to 38 percent, ensuring more doctors stay in Hawaii to help provide care to Hawaii’s 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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