House Passes Extension to Delay Medicare
November 29, 2010
On Monday November 29, the House passed a 31-day fix to avert the 23 percent cut to Medicare physician payments scheduled for December 1. The bill, passed by the Senate earlier this month, includes an extension of the 2.2 percent payment increase. The President is expected to sign the bill.
The ACR will continue to advocate for a permanent fix to stabilize the Medicare program, ensure fair physician reimbursement and patient access to quality care. In the mean time, the ACR joins 66 national physician organizations and all state medical societies in asking Congress to extend the current Medicare payments rates through, at least, December 2011. Congress has indicated bi-partisan support for this proposal and discussions are underway to determine funding offsets for the year long extension.
Thanks to all the ACR and ARHP members and patients who called on Congress to "Fix the SGR!" Our collective efforts reminded Congress that the rheumatology community stands united on this important issue.
