"Support of the bill by AMA, AARP and the Military Officers Association of America helped drive home the real-life impact cuts would have on access to care for seniors, baby boomers and military families. Without action by both houses of Congress, Medicare will cut payments to physicians by 21 percent in 2010, with more in years to come. Today's House vote is the first step toward preventing this cut and eliminating the formula that creates a roller coaster of uncertainty for seniors and the physicians who care for them. Promises have been made to seniors and military families - and the House recognizes that those promises must be kept.

"Seniors who rely on Medicare now and the baby boomers who reach age 65 in less than two years expect access to care and choice of physician. The House recognizes that the best way to achieve access and choice for patients is to repeal the broken physician payment formula. The House also acted on behalf of military families whose health care is at risk, as TRICARE ties its payment rates to Medicare.


"The AMA urges the Senate to act quickly before the cut begins on January 1. Fixing the Medicare physician payment formula once and for all is an essential element of comprehensive health reform.Congress needs to fulfill its current commitments as it considers expanding its obligations. Physicians must be assured of stable payments so they can continue to care for seniors, baby boomers and military families."

William F. Jessee, MD, FACMPE, President and CEO of the Medical Group Management Association had similar praise: "On behalf of physicians and patients, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) congratulates the House of Representatives on its historic action to repeal the flawed Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. This vote is the first step toward creating a more stable and predictable reimbursement system benefiting both Medicare physician providers and beneficiaries. MGMA joined 127 medical organizations in a letter to all House members urging a 'yes' vote on the legislation, H.R. 3961. Now that the House has passed this legislation, strongly supported by the President, it is time for the Senate to follow suit. I will be urging all MGMA members to immediately contact their Senators to support inclusion of the SGR repeal in the Senate's health care reform bill.

Medical practices are small businesses that operate on extremely thin financial margins. It is imperative that Congress permanently repeal the SGR. As long as the SGR remains, reimbursement uncertainty prevents physician practices from properly and adequately preparing for an ever-increasing number of Medicare beneficiaries."

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