Wednesday, October 26, 2011

APA Asks Congress to Reject Flawed MedPAC SGR Proposal

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)