The Senate and the House have approved a bill (H.R. 4994) that will avert the 25% cut in the sustainable growth rate (SGRrrr) that would have taken effect Jan. 1, 2011. While it averts the 25% cut, it provides no update in physician reimbursement levels for 2011. The bill offsets the cost it will incur (about $19 billion) by tightening tax credits designed to make insurance more affordable that were part of the health care reform law (the Affordable Care Act).  The bill now goes to the White House for President Obama's signature.

While we are certainly pleased that Congress has passed a 12-month fix, this solution is far from good enough. We will continue to collaborate with the rest of the medical community to work with Congress on a permanent alternative to the SGR that rewards physicians based on the quality of care they deliver, rather than quantity. How innovative.

Thanks to all who took the time to contact their lawmakers on this critical issue. Good things can happen for patients when Congress works to solve problems as opposed to using Medicare as a political football.

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