Stop the cut! That's the message AAFP government relations staff members have hammered home to federal lawmakers and their staff during the 109th Congress' lame-duck session.
Academy Presses Congress to Halt Payment Cut
By News Staff
11/20/2006
Academy staff met with staff at more than 30 legislative offices between Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 to discuss averting the 5.1 percent Medicare pay cut scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. The one-on-one visits cap what began as a concerted pre-election grassroots effort that included an AAFP President's Letter to members, a key contact alert and a Speak Out effort that prompted 1,228 e-mails and letters from Academy members to U.S. representatives and senators.
"This issue is very visible now," said Kevin Burke, director of the AAFP Division of Government Relations. "Congress knows how important this is to physicians." The question remaining is where Congress will find the $10-$15 billion needed to avoid the cut, he added.
The most positive option, according to Burke, is legislation that would provide either no or a small increase in the 2007 update, with quality reporting bonuses. Less appealing are continuing resolutions that would freeze domestic spending at current rates because such measures could effectively implement the pay cut for a specific period; some lawmakers indicate the resolutions could result in a six-month or a one-year freeze, he said.
Academy representatives are contending with two constraints, said Burke:
"This issue is very visible now," said Kevin Burke, director of the AAFP Division of Government Relations. "Congress knows how important this is to physicians." The question remaining is where Congress will find the $10-$15 billion needed to avoid the cut, he added.
The most positive option, according to Burke, is legislation that would provide either no or a small increase in the 2007 update, with quality reporting bonuses. Less appealing are continuing resolutions that would freeze domestic spending at current rates because such measures could effectively implement the pay cut for a specific period; some lawmakers indicate the resolutions could result in a six-month or a one-year freeze, he said.
Academy representatives are contending with two constraints, said Burke:
- Republicans, who will lose control of the legislative agenda next year, have indicated they will let the Democratic-controlled 110th Congress come up with a long-term solution to the physician payment issue, and
- members of Congress literally are leaving their offices -- cleaning their desks, packing boxes and disconnecting computers -- and they are unlikely to receive grassroots communications.
Government & Medicine
Chronic Disease Partnership Promotes Primary Care
Congress Reauthorizes CHCs, NHSC
AMA Testifies to Congress on Antitrust Policies
CMS Announces Part B Premiums to Remain Mostly Stable in 2009
Republican, Democratic Health Care Plans
Primary Care Has Role in Health Care Reform
Federal Committee Looks at Payment Reform
MedPAC Looks at Industry, Physician Connections
No Reauthorization For FP Training Programs
New York Freezes Medical Malpractice Rates
AAFP Renews Call to Change Antitrust Laws
CMS Delays Directive on SCHIP Expansion
Revised Sunshine Act Would Override State Laws
Massachusetts Strengthens Primary Care
FP Testimony: Docs Need Help With EHR Costs
HHS Pulls Proposed Rule on HPSAs, MUAs
CMS to Vet AMA/RUC Medical Home Pay Scale
Medicare Physician Scarcity Incentives Expire
Start of DME Bidding Program Delayed
Congress Overrides Bush's Medicare Veto
CMS Starts Processing Claims as Bush Vetoes Medicare Bill
Medicare Bill Passage Averts Pay Cuts
CMS to Temporarily Hold Medicare Claims
Bad News: Medicare Cut Takes Effect July 1
Senate to Take Up Two Medicare Bills
AARP Campaign Could Impact Pay Update