Capitol Insight Action Alert: Oct. 19, 2009
Bill to Repeal SGR Proposed in US Senate: Call Specter and Casey Now
A bill to repeal the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula has been introduced in the US Senate. Critical votes will be held this week. The SGR threatens to reduce physicians' Medicare reimbursement by 21 percent on Jan. 1, 2010.
The American Medical Association is asking physicians and the public to call Sen. Arlen Specter and Sen. Bob Casey before close of business, Tuesday, Oct. 20, to urge them to support S. 1776, the Medicare Physicians Fairness Bill. For more information on this bill, go to www.ama-assn.org/grassroots.
The immediate goal of S. 1776 is to "wipe the slate clean" by repealing SGR. Unfortunately, the bill also includes a 10-year freeze on Medicare reimbursement rates. The AMA reports, however, that it has a commitment from Senate leaders that this freeze will be addressed in future legislation.
You can reach the senators' offices through the AMA hotline at (800) 833-6354. You also can find contact information at http://capwiz.com/pamedsoc.
If you call, please stress:
- Payment cuts under current law simply cannot be tolerated by the Medicare program.
- Physicians will be forced to stop seeing Medicare patients, who are already worried about the stability of the program.
- Voters want Medicare reimbursement reform.
It's important to note that voters support payment reform. In a June AMA poll, 70 percent of likely voters said they believe Medicare’s reimbursement system needs a permanent solution. An AARP survey of people 50 years of age and older found that 87 percent said it is important for doctors to be reimbursed adequately so they can continue to accept patients on Medicare.
S. 1776 resets the budget baseline that is the primary obstacle to Medicare physician payment reform. The debt that has accumulated in the SGR system because of annual temporary solutions would be eliminated. The AMA believes this bill is a necessary first step toward implementing a new system.
Last Updated: 10/19/2009