MSMS Legislative Alert for January 19, 2012
The MSMS Board of Directors heard an informational report about the issue of Medicare SGR reform during its January 18 meeting, discussing the AMA’s creative new solution to the problem. Congress’s most recent action on the SGR was a two-month stopgap measure approved shortly before the holiday break as part of the deal to extend the payroll tax cut. However, a more comprehensive solution is still being discussed.
The AMA has presented a plan to Congress that provides for SGR reform with funds freed up by the winding down of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The AMA plan gives Congress a second bite at the apple after the failure of the “Super Committee,” providing a feasible path for legislators to fix the SGR with minimal trauma to other programs.
Furthermore, Michigan is again a key player in negotiations on this issue:
Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland),
Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), and
Congressman Sander Levin (D-Sterling Heights) all hold ranking positions on key committees with jurisdiction on this matter. This issue will also likely be the primary topic of discussion at the AMA National Leadership Conference this February.
Watch Medigram e-News and www.msms.org/medicare for further developments.
