AARP Statement on President Obama's Signing of Legislation Protecting Seniors Access to Doctors

CEO A. Barry Rand released a statement following President Obama's signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010.

This legislation protects seniors' access to their physicians by stopping for a year a scheduled payment cut to doctors in Medicare. Rand's statement follows:

"AARP thanks the President and Congress for finding a bipartisan solution that protects access to doctors for people in Medicare. Over the next year, seniors will have the peace of mind they deserve in knowing that their physician will be there for them.

"The year-long extension is a critical issue for our members and all older Americans. That's why AARP volunteers across the country fought hard to prevent the payment cut. Through teletown halls and more than 100,000 direct messages to their lawmakers, our members and volunteers sent a very clear message to Congress: 'Prevent the payment cut that would threaten seniors' access to the doctors that care for them.' We are grateful that Congress listened.

"But more work remains to be done to ensure a stable Medicare payment system exists for the doctors who care for seniors in the program. When the 112th Congress begins in a few short weeks, we will once again urge Congress to set partisan differences aside and come together to craft a long-term solution that replaces the current payment formula with a system that rewards physicians for providing care that is of high clinical quality, patient-centered and efficient. While we know this will be a challenge, it is a necessary step, both for seniors and future retirees."

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social welfare organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. 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. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands - For more information, visit www.aarp.org