WASHINGTON, DC—AARP’s Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released the following statement that backs the Senate’s decision to deliberate on a final Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) bill vote and reiterates AARP’s longstanding support for a permanent fix to the SGR formula:

“AARP is pleased that the Senate is taking time to consider the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2) and waiting until Congress returns from recess in two weeks. A dead-of-night vote on an important SGR package would not have allowed time for ample consideration of ways to improve the bill.

“Although the SGR patch expires on March 31, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) typically holds Medicare reimbursement claims for 10 additional business days. This additional time period will ensure that holding a full Senate vote after the spring recess will not disrupt Medicare reimbursements.

“While AARP applauds the bipartisan effort thus far to repeal and replace the flawed SGR formula, we remain concerned that Medicare beneficiaries are unfairly shouldering more than their fair share of the cost of the SGR “Doc Fix.” AARP is prepared to work with the Senate to improve H.R. 2 for seniors.

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About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

CONTACT:
Greg Phillips, 202-434-2544, gphillips@aarp.org, @AARPmedia