Physicians protest cuts in reimbursement rates

The Bush administration is expected to publish a final rule that would reduce doctors Medicare reimbursement rates by 4.4 percent today. The cuts are strongly opposed by doctors' groups, led by the AMA. Critics argue the change unfairly penalizes doctors and warn that it could lead some to stop accepting new Medicare patients. In the past, Congress has passed legislation repealing similar cuts. Observers say the proposed rule sets the stage for a political fight in Washington, likely to include adding pay-for-performance into Medicare.

- read this article [1] from The New York Times

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