House Postpones 21.2 Percent Cut, Passes 60 Day Freeze

The House of Representatives has postponed the 21.2 percent reduction to Medicare physician payments that was scheduled to take effect Jan.1. The House included an amendment to the 2010 Defense Department appropriations bill, HR. 3326 that freezes Medicare payments at their current levels until Feb. 28, 2010. The bill passed by a vote of 395-34. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Republicans are expected to filibuster it, forcing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev, to obtain 60 votes before the bill can be considered. This procedural hurdle will likely delay consideration of the bill until Friday or Saturday.
 
In addition to this short term “bridge” mechanism, it is extremely important to send an email and remind your senators to immediately address the Medicare physician payment issue.