Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement regarding the Senate proposal to separate a permanent fix for Medicare physician reimbursement rates from broader health care reform and pass the $250 billion bill with no offsets. Price practiced orthopaedic surgery for more than 20 years before coming to Congress.

“Democrats have resorted to political extortion to get their broader health care plan across the finish line,” said Congressman Price. “To preserve medical access for our seniors, it is imperative that physicians receive appropriate reimbursements for the care they provide. Yet, it is shameful that Democrat leaders would use this issue as a bribe to attract support for a health care bill that will erode the ability of doctors and patients to make independent medical decisions.

“Physicians should take note of the remarkably cynical attitude Democrats in Congress have of the role they play in the American health care system. Doctors are being asked to trust a bunch of politicians in Washington who simply haven’t earned that trust. Physicians are the backbone of care in this country and they are being treated just like another special interest pawn to implement a government takeover of the health care system.

“This shallow move reinforces every concern Americans have about the enormous costs associated with the Democrats’ plan. Democrat leaders are sorely mistaken if they believe Americans will look the other way at this budgetary sleight of hand. Democrats are more concerned with looking like they are paying for their plan than actually doing so. Only these folks could throw a quarter-trillion dollars on the national debt and claim they are honoring promises of fiscal responsibility.

“Rather than budget gimmicks, the American people are looking for an honest approach to health care reform. The Republicans Study Committee has put forth a comprehensive health care solution that provides proper reimbursement for physicians and keeps control of the system in the hands of patients and their doctors, without adding to the deficit. While Democrats have roundly ignored our efforts toward positive reform, we hope they will work with us to pass a responsible solution for physician reimbursements and health care reform as a whole."