Lexington County, SC — As Congress seeks to avoid the fiscal cliff, it also must address two Medicare issues.

Without action, an $1,880 hard cap on therapy will be enacted for Medicare patients on Dec. 31. Currently patients who require physical or occupational therapy beyond the spending cap can file for an exception to continue their medically necessary treatments. Without appropriate therapies, patients will require additional treatments, doctor’s visits and surgeries, ultimately resulting in increased Medicare spending.

Additionally, Medicare’s physician reimbursements will be reduced by 27 percent, making it impossible for many doctors to afford serving disabled and elderly patients. If physicians stop accepting Medicare patients, where will our most vulnerable receive care? Medicare spending will again increase as patients lose access to preventative care.

I urge our members of Congress to extend the therapy cap and address the physician reimbursements.

Donna Watson

S.C. Ambassador, Arthritis Foundation

Lexington