October 4, 2006

URGE YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO COSPONSOR AND ADVANCE H.R. 5246, H.R. 5348 OR S. 2990—Legislation would restore full funding to anesthesiology teaching programs)

Several Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would restore full funding to anesthesiology teaching programs, while holding all other medical and nursing programs harmless.   In the House, Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) introduced H.R. 5246, while Rep. Fortney “Pete” Stark introduced H.R. 5348.  Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) is the author of S. 2990, companion legislation in the Senate.

Please call your Representative and Senators to ask them to co-sponsor this important legislation.  You may reach the Capitol Switchboard by calling (202) 225-3121.

Since 1994, CMS has unfairly penalized anesthesiology teaching programs.  If a teaching anesthesiologist works with two residents on cases that overlap—even for a minute—CMS cuts payment 50% per case.  This misguided policy costs academic programs an average of $400,000 each year. Some programs lose more than $1 million.

This funding must be reinstated so teaching anesthesiology programs can recruit and retain high-caliber teaching anesthesiologists, and continue advancing important research initiatives.

Click here to ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 5246 or H.R. 5348.

Click here to ask your Senators to cosponsor S. 2990.

 

For more information, click on the links below:

Cosponsors for H.R. 5246

Cosponsors for H.R. 5348

Cosponsors for S. 2990

House Bill Language

Senate Bill Language

Teaching Rule summary