AMA keeps fighting Medicare cuts

As it has for quite some time now, the American Medical Association is continuing to fight for legislation that would halt planned cuts to physician Medicare payments, holding a rally this week on Capitol Hill to press its point. It's urging Congress to quickly pass legislation sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that would hold the planned 10 percent cuts off for 18 months, replacing them with stable payments in 2008 and a 1.8 percent rise in 2009. Without such a bill in place, the 10 percent cut would begin on July 1 of this year. The AMA and its allies have been successful in forestalling or managing  similar cuts for five years now. Wonder if the sustainable-growth-rate formula will win this time?

To learn more about the struggle over Medicare cuts:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
Physicians see expected 10 percent Medicare cut. Report
New Medicare bill would stop 10 percent Medicare cut. Report