Congress Halts 10 Percent Cut to
Medicare Physician Payment until June 30, 2008
• Physicians Receive 0.5 Percent increase until June 30, 2008
• No Further Cuts to Medical Imaging
• Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative Extended through 2008
On Wednesday, Congress approved the “Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007,’ granting a six-month extension preventing a 10 percent cut to Medicare physician payment and replaces it with a 0.5 percent increase. The legislation also extends incentive payments for the Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) through 2008 and does not include further cuts to medical imaging or new imaging policy.
While we appreciate Congress’ efforts to stop the scheduled payment cut, the ACC is deeply disappointed that Congress has once again chosen a short-term “band-aid” extension policy that puts physician practices in an untenable position. In doing so, Congress has also chosen a course that does not pay down the cost of providing future updates, making the threat of larger cuts in the future real. We believe this is irresponsible and bad health care policy.
The ACC continues to work tirelessly with the physician community to promote a permanent fix of the flawed physician payment system and move toward the enactment of policies that seek to improve the quality and appropriateness of patient care. We are hopeful, however, that this short-term extension is an indication that Congress plans to begin crafting a longer-term policy that, at a minimum, includes responsible funding for the remainder of 2008 and 2009, advances quality improvement and better patient care, and, ultimately, works toward paying physicians in a manner that reflects the actual cost of providing care. We have already signaled to Congress the critical importance of immediate action to reach agreement early in 2008 in order to avoid any unnecessary delay or impede patient access.
Thank you for all of your responses to ACC’s action alerts this year; your contacts with lawmakers made a difference. I cannot stress how important your continued involvement in the ACC’s Advocacy efforts will be in 2008 and beyond. We will contact you early in 2008 for your help in continuing to fight cuts to Medicare physician payment and move toward a system of care that improves quality and outcomes for our patients.
Should you have any questions about the ACC’s advocacy efforts, contact Molly Nichelson at (800) 253-4636 x 6470 or mnichels@acc.org.
Sincerely,
Jack Lewin, M.D.
CEO, American College of Cardiology
