The Medicare bill approved by Congress last week does not include provisions included in the original House-passed CHAMP Act that would have outlawed the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center as it exists today and cut health care choices for seniors. Key Congressional leaders, however, were clear about their intention to end doctor-owned hospitals and pass the entire CHAMP Act into law next year.
"I take little comfort in today's action because Democrats responsible for writing health policy promised to act next year on proposals threatening the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and cutting seniors' Medicare choices," Congressman Hastings said.
On the House floor House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said, "Democrats are determined in the next year to revive the CHAMP Act." Also, it was reported that that author of the provision affecting the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark, D-Calif., said that the bill banning doctor-owned hospitals will be on the table next year.
Hastings said he'll continue raising this issue and working in Congress to protect the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center. "This is no time to rest," said Hastings. "Efforts to pass these provisions before the end of the year failed, but the threat hasn't gone away. Those leading the charge promised action in 2008."
The Medicare bill approved by Congress last week extends the State Children's Heath Insurance Program and temporarily halts a Medicare pay cut for physicians. Since the physician payment fix only runs through June 2008, Congress will have to take up Medicare legislation again next year. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said "We'll have to do a Medicare bill next year."
In August a proposal that would prohibit hospitals, like the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, that are more than 40 percent owned by doctors from being paid for treating Medicare and Medicaid patients was included in a House-passed bill known as the CHAMP Act. That bill also included Medicare cuts that are likely to cause over 125,000 Washington seniors to lose their choice of Medicare Advantage health coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are comprehensive, offering seniors additional benefits like dental and vision coverage, often at a lower cost.
Hastings authored amendments that, if accepted, would have safeguarded the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and urged key leaders to abandon proposals that would threaten the facility.
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