2010-02-26
On March 1, 2010, Medicare payments to doctors
are scheduled to be cut by 21 percent unless the Senate approves legislation (HR 4691). Congress has been struggling
to resolve the Medicare physician payment crisis during the two-month extension
that prevented a 21 percent cut from taking effect on January 1. On February 25, the House of Representatives passed legislation which includes a one month
extension of the current payment level. Shortly after the House acted, however, Senator Jim Bunning, (R-KY), refused to allow a
vote in the Senate on a package of short-term extensions (HR 4691) for programs, including Medicare
physician payment, stalling progress. Efforts to approve the measure have been unsuccessful,
and senators remained at an impasse with no clear way forward on moving the
bill when they adjourned shortly before midnight. While there are no roll call
votes scheduled until March 2, the Senate could still clear the bill by voice
vote, but the prospect for that seems unlikely. It is critical
that your senator hear from physician constituents. Please contact
your senator today and stress the need to pass legislation before
March 1 to avert the physician payment cuts and protect physician access to
Medicare and TriCare Beneficiaries.
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