WASHINGTON, DC - Following the Energy and Commerce Committee’s release of an advanced legislative framework to repeal the current Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) system, leading members of Congress reacted with increased optimism on reforming the current Medicare physician payment system. Today’s announced legislative framework would repeal the SGR and replace it with a fair and stable system of physician payment in the Medicare program.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI):
Providing a permanent solution to the broken SGR formula is vital to ensuring that seniors continue to have access to high-quality care. Chairman Upton’s draft legislative language is another important step to ensure that we secure stakeholder feedback and finally put an end to the uncertainty caused by this failed policy. I look forward to continuing to work with our friends at Energy and Commerce to make these long-sought solutions a reality.
Co-Chairman of the GOP Doctors Caucus Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-GA):
Repealing the flawed Medicare physician payment formula and enacting a permanent solution has been a top priority of the GOP Doctors Caucus. This is a major step towards securing a fiscally-responsible, permanent fix that promotes quality care while providing physicians with certainty and security. Our seniors cannot afford further delay, and the time for action-and results-is now.
Co-Chairman of the GOP Doctors Caucus Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN):
One of the most important issues facing the medical community is the Medicare’s flawed sustainable growth rate formula. I am pleased that the Energy and Commerce Committee continues to seek out a long-term solution to this problem, and today’s draft release is another positive step towards achieving meaningful reform. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the GOP Doctors Caucus to find a permanent solution.
Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN):
The draft legislation released today is a great step forward in a transparent process to permanently fix our broken SGR formula. These reforms are critical to provide our nation’s seniors with quality, accessible care and to provide certainty for physicians. I would like to thank Chairman Upton and Chairman Camp for their leadership on this issue over the last two and a half years. I look forward to helping in any way I can to secure a permanent fix to this long-standing problem that could hinder access to medical care for senior citizens.
View comments from Energy and Commerce Committee leaders here.