As Congressional leaders work on finding a solution to the sustainable growth rate, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) does not think a permanent SGR repeal will pass even despite his determined efforts, according to an Inside Health Policy report.
Similar to the talks in December, if Congress cannot fix the SGR by March 1, physicians will take a 27.4 percent cut to their Medicare payments. A report from the Congressional Budget Office last week estimated a full repeal of the SGR would cost roughly $316 billion, while a two-year fix would cost about $39 billion.
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) said in the report he is shooting for a two-year fix, which was part of the House's bill from December. That solution would include reducing Medicare subsidies to higher-income seniors and freezing pay for federal employees and Congress members.
Inside Health Policy also reported that using the war savings from the Overseas Contingency Operations to fund an SGR solution is "fading internally," according to the report.
Similar to the talks in December, if Congress cannot fix the SGR by March 1, physicians will take a 27.4 percent cut to their Medicare payments. A report from the Congressional Budget Office last week estimated a full repeal of the SGR would cost roughly $316 billion, while a two-year fix would cost about $39 billion.
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) said in the report he is shooting for a two-year fix, which was part of the House's bill from December. That solution would include reducing Medicare subsidies to higher-income seniors and freezing pay for federal employees and Congress members.
Inside Health Policy also reported that using the war savings from the Overseas Contingency Operations to fund an SGR solution is "fading internally," according to the report.
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