The Senate is not seemingly getting closer to an SGRrrr fix. Not even a one- or two-month postponement. It is conceivable the cuts could go into effect March 1 unless they come to their senses. The House is ready to do a long term fix by just writing it off, but the Senate insisting it be largely ‘paid for’ (they agreed to write off only $82 Billion of the $210 debt) -- where’s the money? There are some members of the Senate who want to see if doctors will really stop seeing Medicare patients if the cut proceeds we suspect. This is a risky game.

AMA has led the advocacy campaign on trying to get this solved, and we’ve been working closely with them, but this is getting crazy at this point. ACC's CardioAdvocacy Alliance sent out the following action alert last night -- I urge you to take action:

Congress returns from its President's Day District Work Period this week, with only a few days left to intervene to stop a 21.5 percent Medicare physician payment cut from taking effect on March 1. In just seven days, the current temporary freeze in Medicare physician payments will expire. Although the House of Representatives passed a bill to eliminate the cuts (H.R. 3961) this past November, the Senate has been unsuccessful in passing similar legislation (S. 1776). Please call your lawmakers this week, even if you already have, and urge them to work with their colleagues to enact a permanent replacement of the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.

Act now! Call your members of Congress at (800) 210-7193 or contact your Representatives by clicking here and your Senators by clicking here.

The entire House of Medicine is urging Congress to provide a permanent solution to the ongoing physician payment dilemma. This is even more important cardiovascular professionals given the recent 2010 Medicare cuts to cardiology. Contact your members of Congress today!

Thank you for taking the time to speak on behalf of your patients and your profession.

< Back to Listings