Internists Applaud Advancement of Legislation To Repeal and Replace Sustainable Growth Rate

American College of Physicians reacts to Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) efforts by Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee

Statement attributable to:
Charles Cutler, MD, FACP
Chair, Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians
(ACP)

December 12, 2013

(Washington) - The American College of Physicians (ACP) applauds Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Hatch, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Camp, Ranking Member Levin and members of their committees for their efforts to repeal and replace the Medicare SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate) formula.

Their work has brought us closer than ever to reaching a bipartisan, bicameral accord on legislation to permanently repeal the Medicare SGR formula. Their efforts will work to stabilize payments, provide multiple pathways for physicians to qualify for positive updates and to participate in alternative payment models, create positive incentives for Patient-Centered Medical Homes, provide assistance to small practices and needed funding for development of quality measures. The bills reported today by the Senate Finance and Ways and Means committees will help ensure that Medicare patients continue to have access to their physicians.

ACP will continue to work with members of Congress to get a bill to the President for his signature as soon as possible after Congress returns from its upcoming holiday recess.

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The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 137,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter and Facebook.

Contact:
David Kinsman, (202) 261-4554
dkinsman@acponline.org
Jacquelyn Blaser, (202) 261-4572
jblaser@acponline.org