FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2011
(Washington, DC)— Monday, President Obama released "Living Within Our Means and Investing in the Future: The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction." The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) applauds the President's recognition of the need to fix the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula as part of the work of a meaningful deficit reduction package. The President's proposal would permanently prevent reductions in Medicare physician payments required under current law; thus, making strides to stabilize the Medicare program for generations to come.
The AOA concurs that, "Failing to do so simply masks the worsening long-run deficit." The SGR can no longer be allowed to be an anchor on the Medicare program - threatening access to quality care. However, we are disappointed that the President's proposal further perpetuates 10 years of budget gimmickry of not funding the fix that has led us to where we are today. In 2005 a permanent solution to the SGR would have cost less than $50 billion. Today, that cost has ballooned to $300 billion and will double to $600 billion over the next five years if we continue to ignore the problem.
About the AOA
The American Osteopathic Association proudly represents more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) practicing in 31 specialties and subspecialties, promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for DOs, is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical colleges, and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.
Contact
Leann Fox
Director of Washington Advocacy and Communications
(202) 414-0144 (Office)
lfox@osteopathic.org