FMA Responds to Postponement of Physician Payment Cuts

March 3, 2010

At the 11th hour on Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 4691, a measure that effectively postponed a 21-percent Medicare physician payment cut until April 1. However, the Florida Medical Association (FMA) is extremely concerned that, once again, national lawmakers have failed to address the fundamentally flawed Medicare payment system. FMA President James B. Dolan, MD, and FMA President-Elect Madelyn E. Butler, MD, are currently in Washington, D.C., where they are delivering an urgent message to members of Congress: The Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula must be repealed and replaced with a system that compensates physicians fairly, ensuring Medicare patients' access to care.

This issue is critical for our state, which has the nation's largest Medicare patient population - primarily senior citizens. The U.S. House and Senate are discussing next steps to address Medicare payment, and some proposals reportedly include more stopgap measures and postponements. The longer the current system stays in place, the greater the possibility of severe reimbursement cuts in the future.

The FMA remains committed to helping you practice medicine by pressing Congress for a permanent solution to the Medicare payment crisis. We will keep you informed as the events in Washington continue to unfold. In the meantime, please make your voice heard on Medicare payment reform by contacting U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and George LeMieux:

Sen. Bill Nelson
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274
Fax: (202) 228-2183
Email

Sen. George LeMieux
United States Senate
356 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Telephone: (202) 224-3041
Fax: (202) 228-5171
Email