Congress Fails to Find Resolution This Week for 21.29% Cuts

Sustainable Growth Rate Issue Not Fixed Yet

In case you have not heard, the idea of a two-year fix to the SGR is now officially dead. In action earlier this week, the Senate failed to pass a bill that would have resulted in a 2.2% increase in the SGR for 2010 and a 1% increase for 2011. 

As of this morning, the Senate was trying to fashion a 2.2% increase that would be in place for the next 6 months only. In other words, they would once again kick the can down the road – this time to November 30, 2010.

The cost to this “fix” is about $7 billion, far less than the originally proposed two-year fix, which would have cost about $23 billion.

Over the last seven years Congress has passed temporary fixes nine times!

Aside from the "doc fix" portion, the revised bill would extend unemployment benefits, create a summer jobs program, and extend a number of expired federal programs.

The Senate did not set a deadline for a vote, but it is expected they will vote on this issue later today or early next week. If the Senate passes a bill, it then has to go back to the House, which had passed a two-year fix. From there it can go on to the President for his signature.

We estimate that the earliest a fix will be in place will be the middle of next week.

The American Association of Orthopaedice Executives Advocacy Council continues to work with and support the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons position that we should oppose a temporary fix. To this end, we encourage you to contact your Senator and announce your opposition to another temporary fix

-This information is provided by the AAOE Advocacy Council.  Fore more information, please visit www.aaoe.net/advocacy.