SGR Fix Stuck Because of Jobs Bill

There is one big  problem with the currently proposed SGR fix,  it is attached to a jobs bill.  On Friday, June 18th the Senate tried to unbundle it and  passed a bill that would have stopped the SGR cut for six months.  The Senate did not address the bigger jobs bill.  The Senate expressed concerns over the increasing decifit as the reason for not passing the jobs bill. 

On Monday, June 21st the House leadership would not take up the Senate bill (SGR six-month patch) without a jobs bills.  Within hours Nancy Pelosi released a statement saying, “I see no reason to pass this inadequate bill until we see jobs legislation coming out of the Senate.  House Democrats are saying to Republicans in the Senate: Show us the jobs!”

At this point the SGR legislation is languishing because of concerns about a jobs bill.  Meanwhile Medicare is processing claims that had been previously held with dates of service of 6/1/10 forward at the 21.3% reduced rate.  These claims are being processed on a first in / first out basis (FIFO).  The Senate and House are currently at a stalemate regarding jobs bill and SGR which unfortunately have been tied together.