Included in the 2003 omnibus appropriations bill today being debated in the Senate floor is a provision that would freeze the Medicare conversion factor (CF) at the 2002 level, now in effect up to March 1, until September 30. Except that the extension of the 2002 rate does not cover all of 2003, this would be the same result as intended by the disapproval resolution introduced in the House a week ago by Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas. The anticipation is that a more permanent fix would be passed by Congress before September 30.

Passage of the Senate bill is expected by this weekend. Following passage, the House will need to act on the Senate provision. Expectations are currently high that a freeze of the Medicare CF will be enacted before March 1, meaning that the currently projected 3.43% cut will not go into effect.

ASA members are to be congratulated for their response to President Cottrell's request for communications to the Congress, beginning in late December. Current tally shows that over 10,000 messages have been sent. Given the expected Senate action, the Alert calling for faxes, e-mails and telephone calls has been removed, but a new Alert -- seeking communications of appreciation to the Senate -- will be posted next week.