HHS Secretary Azar Issues Statement on Executive Order to Protect, Improve Medicare

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement by Secretary Alex Azar on the Executive Order signed by President Trump to protect and improve Medicare:

"President Trump's Executive Order delivers on the clear promise he's made to Americans about their healthcare: protect what works in our system and fix what's broken. America's seniors are overwhelmingly satisfied with the care they receive through traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and the President is continuing to take action to strengthen and improve these programs.

"The President has directed HHS to take a number of specific, significant steps that will meaningfully improve the financing of Medicare, advance the care American seniors receive from their doctors, and improve the health they enjoy.

The steps include expanding options and providing savings for seniors on Medicare Advantage; eliminating unnecessary burdens on providers; focusing Medicare payments on time spent with patients rather than on procedures performed; accelerating access to the latest medical technologies; cutting waste, fraud, and abuse; and expanding freedom and control for seniors on Medicare.

"All of these steps together will help create a healthcare system that puts patients at the center. These kinds of improvements, rather than a total government takeover of the healthcare system, are the path to our ultimate goal: better health for all Americans. That's the President's promise, and that's what he has been delivering for American patients."