Political Hurdles Remain for SGR Repeal

Political Hurdles Remain for SGR Repeal

Slightly more than two weeks before Medicare physician payment rates are scheduled to be cut by 24.1 percent, Congress has engaged in political brinkmanship with S.2000/H.R. 4015, the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Act of 2014 (SGR Repeal Act).  By invoking partisan offsets to pay for the sustainable growth rate (SGR) legislation, House Republicans and Senate Democrats have raised the possibility that neither bill will pass in the other chamber.  The American College of Surgeons (ACS) opposes the infusion of politics into the debate, particularly when the process to date has been conducted in a bipartisan, bicameral manner. 

The ACS will continue to push leadership in both chambers to develop bipartisan solutions to ensure that this legislation is enacted and finally puts an end to the SGR. Should both chambers pass their respective bills, the College will urge the immediate appointment of conferees to address the differences in offsets and send the bill to President Obama.

For details about which representative and senators have taken bipartisan action during the yearlong process to repeal the SGR, go towww.repealsgr.org.