APA is urging members of Congress to reject the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) proposal to eliminate the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula by cutting specialist reimbursement 5.9% a year for three years and freezing payment for seven years afterward. In a letter circulated by APA's Department of Government Relations, Medical Director and C.E.O. James H. Scully Jr., M.D., is asking representatives to join Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), a physician, and Gene Green (D-Texas), who are collecting signatures in a statement of opposition, in finding a legislative solution to fix the SGR through avenues other than physician payment cuts. Such cuts would ultimately compromise access to care for the elderly and disabled. To view a recent sign-on letter from APA and other medical groups in response to the MedPAC proposal, click here.(Image: Aromant/Shutterstock.com)
