Permanent Repeal of Medicare Physician Payment Formula Blocked in Senate

The Senate this week voted against permanent repeal of Medicare's payment formula for doctors, with lawmakers balking at the legislation's $247 billion 10-year price tag. The bill was introduced last week by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

 “Congress created the Medicare physician payment system, and Congress needs to fix this problem once and for all to fulfill its obligation to seniors, baby boomers, and military families,” said American Medical Association president J. James Rohack, MD, in a statement issued after the vote. Permanent repeal of the Medicare physician payment formula is essential to comprehensive health system reform.”

A 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians is currently scheduled for Jan. 1.

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued a letter explaining his rationale for voting against repeal. You can read the text of that letter at http://armgmt.com/cornyn_sgr_vote.pdf