Now is the Time to Repeal the SGR
October 18, 2011
The congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction has broad power to craft a legislative package by November 23 to reduce spending by $1.5 trillion. Recently, the ACR sent a letter
to the members of the Joint Select Committee urging them to include a repeal of the SGR in the creation of the deficit reduction package. If Congress fails to address the SGR, rheumatologists face a 30 percent cut to Medicare payments beginning January 1, 2012.
A full repeal of the SGR has gained public bipartisan support from 113 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who cosigned the SGR repeal letter from Rep. Allyson Schwartz (Pa.) to the supercommittee. While this show of support is significant, many members of Congress have differing opinions on the process for the SGR repeal.
Rheumatologists and patients must continue communicating with their lawmakers that the SGR must be repealed in the supercommittee process. With a Nov. 23 deadline, time is running out for the supercommittee to come together with a proposal that provides a fiscally responsible solution to deficit reduction -- including full repeal of the SGR.
Please keep up the pressure on all members of Congress and continue contacting your representative and senators.
- Use the ACR Legislative Action Center to send an email or call using the AMA's toll-free grassroots hotline (800) 833-6354.
Tell them to preserve Medicare patient's access to quality care by supporting SGR repeal as a critical part of the supercommittee's legislative package. A permanent fix to SGR now = $200 billion savings over the next five years.
Get your patients involved! Download a Medicare flier or a Medicare poster for your waiting area to help make their voice heard.
