Commentary

AMA: U.S. Senate Delays Medicare Physician Cut for One Month


Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 4, 2010.  “Last night, the U.S. Senate voted yet again to delay the 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut for one month, postponing it until April 1. The Senate should use this time to permanently repeal the flawed Medicare physician payment formula that puts access to care for seniors and military families at risk.

“Physicians are outraged by the Senate’s failure to act before the March 1 deadline, as their patients and practices are hurt by the continued instability in the Medicare system. This vicious cycle of short-term delays that increase the size of the cut and the cost of reform for American taxpayers must come to an end. The U.S. House has already passed legislation that will permanently repeal the broken payment formula and replace it with one that better reflects the increasing cost of patient care. Now the Senate must act.

“AMA physicians are in Washington today meeting directly with their senators to urge them to act now on permanent reform. Access to health care for seniors, disabled and military families hangs in the balance. The Senate must honor its obligation before patients are the victim of a complete Medicare meltdown.”

 

Source: ama-assn.org


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