Congress Stops Medicare Cuts for One Year as Part of Fiscal Cliff Legislation Congress on January 1 passed HR 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act, narrowly averting the so-called "fiscal cliff." The bill includes a one-year Medicare fee-for-service physician payment freeze, meaning the 26.5 percent sustainable growth rate (SGR) cut has been averted, for now. The 2 percent sequestration cuts have also been deferred for two months. January 3, 2013 Medicare, News, Politics and Medicine HR 8 , medicare cuts, fiscal cliff, SGR 0 0 Comment Read More »