As the March 31 deadline for reforming Medicare’s broken payment update system draws near, the AMA sent a letter Wednesday to the U.S. Senate, calling on Congress to work across party lines to eliminate the sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment formula while there’s still time.
“There is no difference between the parties, or for that matter the House and Senate, over actual SGR replacement policy,” AMA CEO James L. Madara, MD, wrote in the letter addressed to Senate leaders. “We support bipartisan Senate action to repeal the SGR next week before the expiration of the current patch.”
The letter, which was sent to members of both chambers, emphasizes that Congress only will be able to consider the repeal legislation before them if they do so through “bipartisan cooperation.”
“We renew our call for both parties to engage in good faith, bipartisan efforts to address remaining issues and pass the legislation,” the letter states, referring to Senate bills that take up the physician payment and delivery system reform policy crafted by a bipartisan effort of three congressional committees.
“Congress is closer than ever to enacting legislation that would repeal the dysfunctional Medicare physician payment system because the Senate Finance Committee and the House committees of jurisdiction worked together in a bipartisan, bicameral manner for over a year,” the letter states. “It would be a shame for lawmakers to have done all of that hard work only to have it overcome by partisan politics.”
Policies in the legislation include key reforms that stabilize payments with modest automatic updates, consolidate and restructure Medicare’s quality reporting programs, and provide a pathway to new models of care delivery and payment.
While an overwhelming majority of the House and the U.S. Senate supports SGR repeal, partisan tactics are putting up roadblocks to passing legislation that would eliminate the payment formula.
Meanwhile, physicians and patients are calling on Congress to “end the madness this March” and stop postponing a permanent solution with temporary patches. You can take up the call with your members of Congress by sharing the AMA’s new Fix Medicare Now hoops-themed infographic via social media.
In addition, you can deliver the message via the AMA’s grassroots hotline at (800) 833-6354, or send an email to your senators and representative today. Tell them: No more temporary patches; repeal SGR now!
