CHIP reauthorization fails in House of Representatives;
Medicare physician payment reform uncertain
The House of Representatives failed to override President Bush’s veto of legislation to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides insurance to millions of American children. The vetoed bill would have expanded the program over the next five years, for a total price tag of $60 billion.
Previous versions of the House CHIP bill also included provisions to avert the impending 10% cut in Medicare physician payment due to the Sustainable Growth Rate formula (SGR). Congress must act soon or anesthesiologists and all of medicine will face a 10% cut in Medicare payments beginning in January 2008, and a 15% cut beginning in January 2009.
The Senate continues work on a separate Medicare package, which could potentially serve as a vehicle for SGR reform and anesthesiology teaching rule reform legislation. ASA will continue monitoring these situations closely and keep ASA members informed of any new developments, as we work to avert SGR cuts and advance needed academic anesthesiology Medicare payment restoration.
Meanwhile, ASA members are urged to take the following actions:
SGR Reform
Medicare Anesthesiology Teaching Rule