|
ARTICLES |
Health Policy at a Glance |
Congress Returns from Lame-duck Session
Senators and Members of Congress returned to Washington on November 15 for a lame-duck session to address outstanding issues. The most pressing issue for healthcare providers will be the impending 23.6 percent reduction in Medicare Part B reimbursement payments that is scheduled to occur on December 1. This cut will take place if Congress fails to appropriate the necessary funds for the cuts mandated by the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. Also of concern is the Medicare coding offset, multi-campus hospital Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive payments, and physician supervision requirements. With the outcome of the elections now decided, it remains to be seen how Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House leadership will shape the legislative agenda for the remainder of the session, knowing that they will no longer control the House. Republicans continue to call for repeal of the healthcare reform law and launched a failed attempt to stop implementation of several insurance provisions prior to the recess. Other reforms have already advanced, including appointing a director for the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and establishing the board of governors for the comparative effectiveness research institute. | |
 | |
