Conference Committee Provides Best Opportunity for SGR Repeal
January 03/2012
The conference committee appointed to find a long term solution to the SGR, payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits began its first round of meetings this week. The March 1st deadline to prevent a 27.4 percent cut to Medicare physician payments is quickly approaching.
Congress must continue to hear from rheumatologists, health professionals and patients that another short term fix is unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible. Temporary patches only increase the cost of repeal by billions of dollars every year. A two year patch alone will cost $39 billion and increase the cost of future efforts to repeal the SGR.
Keep up the pressure on all members of Congress by urging your lawmakers to support a conference committee report that includes full repeal of the SGR. A permanent solution is the only way to provide stability and ensure Medicare patients' access to quality care.
