Physicians Face 27.4% Medicare Payment Cut; Urge Congress to Repeal the Medicare SGR Today! November 9, 2011 Advocacy, CMA, Medicare, Payment CMA advocacy, Medicare SGR, Repeal SGR, SFMS advocacy 0 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised downward a looming cut to physicians, but for the medical community, it will be cold comfort. On January 1, 2012, physicians face a 27.4% Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) payment cut. The Deficit Committee may be our last chance to eliminate the SGR once and for all. SFMS/CMA believe that stable reimbursement in this program not only protects access to care but also makes economic sense as physicians are important employers in their communities. Repealing the SGR this year will saves hundreds of billions of dollars and put an end to these last minute legislative fixes that inevitably delay and increase the problem. SFMS/CMA has strongly opposed the proposed draconian cuts to Medicare physician payment and will continue to advocate for a repeal of the flawed payment formula and stable and adequate reimbursement for physicians. Please join us in this fight by contacting Congress and let them know the effect this cut will have on your patients and your practice! Talking Points Please include a full repeal of the Medicare SGR in the Deficit Committee legislation. Failure to stop the SGR cuts will cause physicians to stop taking Medicare patients or close their doors altogether. With the baby boom generation fast approaching retiring age, we’re talking about decreased access to care for more than 5 million Californians. It will cause drastic access problems for seniors and military families who need a doctor. Repealing the SGR reduces taxpayer costs and the deficit—it is good economics. Five years ago the cost to repeal was $48 billion, now it is $300 billion; soon it will be $600 billion. These last minute stop gaps are increasing Medicare costs to the federal government. We must repeal the SGR once and for all. Physicians employ more than 500,000 people in California and are substantial contributors to the local, state and federal tax base. Maintaining appropriate, stable Medicare rates keeps physicians in practice and prevents further unemployment and economic erosion. Physicians are important businesses and employers crucial to the California economy. How to Contact Members of Congress USE THE AMA GRASSROOTS HOTLINE at (800) 833-6354 to call your Representative and Senators Boxer and Feinstein. You will be asked to enter your zip code and select your Representative. Please select your Representative first, then call back to connect with Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein. EMAIL Senators Boxer and Feinstein through http://writerep.house.gov; www.boxer.senate.gov and www.feinstein.senate.gov. Also contact Congressman Becerra (D-LA), a member of the Deficit Committee at www.becerra.house.gov. Messages can also be sent to California Representatives who are in leadership positions: House Whip-Congressman Kevin McCarthy www.kevinmccarthy.house.gov; and House Minority Leader-Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi www.pelosi.house.gov. More Information Click here for background information about this issue.Click here for a sample email to your Representative or Senator. Comments are closed.
