21 percent cut to Medicare now in effect
As of midnight last night, the current sustainable growth rate (SGR) patch expired, meaning the 21 percent cut in Medicare payments is in effect. Every day that the U.S. Senate does not act causes disruptions to physician practices and puts more patients at risk of not getting the care they deserve.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation that would permanently repeal the SGR formula, but the Senate failed to act before leaving on a two-week recess.
While Senate leadership has indicated they will take up the bill upon return on April 13, the clock is ticking. The administration can only hold claims until April 15, leaving a very narrow window of time for the Senate to act before Medicare claims are paid at the drastically reduced rate.
We need you to keep the pressure on during the recess! Please contact your senators today to remind them that they have unfinished business here in Washington, D.C., and urge them to support H.R. 2 immediately when they return!
- Call your senators district offices using the AMA's toll-free Grassroots Hotline: (888) 434-6200.
- Send an urgent email to your senators reinforcing the need for SGR repeal now.
- Contact key senators still undecided on this most critical issue directly through their own social media channels and share with your own Facebook friends and Twitter followers as well.
- For help scheduling a district meeting or to find a list of district town halls this recess, email grassroots@ama-assn.org and we can assist you with office hours and locations.
This is urgent! The current SGR patch has expired; physicians are being hit with a 21 percent cut to Medicare - your voice is needed now, more than ever!
The Senate went on recess prior to approving the House approval of the SGR Revocation Bill.
Not unusual, and the type of action that promotes apathy about our government taking meaningful action in a timely fashion... Another reason why your healthcare should not be competing with other congressional responsibilities, such as defense, terrorism and federal emergencies....
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