MEDICARE ACTION ALERT: Call your senators today to avert 15-percent Medicare pay cut over next two years

updated 12.5.07

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have proposed a 15-percent cut in payment to physicians over the next two years. The first phase would be a 10.1-percent reduction effective Jan. 1, 2008, with an additional 5-percent cut projected for 2009. These cuts are likely to force many family physicians to limit the number of Medicare patients they can afford to see at a time when the Medicare population is expected to climb rapidly. Many in Congress want to stop the cuts before the end of the year, but the clock is ticking.

On Wednesday Dec. 5 AAFP President Jim King, M.D., sent a message to all active AAFP members calling for grassroots action as the Senate debates a proposal to postpone the cut for one year, pushing the full 15-percent reduction to 2009.

“This accounting gimmick would make it increasingly difficult for Congress to find the funds to finally fix the problem,” King said in the message.

King asks that members participate in the American Medical Association’s second Virtual Rally on Capitol Hill, Dec. 4 - 6. In the first event, 12,000 physicians made calls to their legislators. In his e-mail to members, King included talking points and instructions on how to be a part of the rally.

“To participate, call the AMA’s toll-free grassroots hotline at 1-800-833-6354 to be patched through to your Senators’ offices. Because the Committee may act this week, please call today rather than e-mail or write your Senators,” King said.

TAFP and AAFP have been working to persuade key legislators to reverse the proposed cuts while also making the argument that fixing Medicare’s flawed payment system must be a priority. On a recent trip to Washington, TAFP Chief Executive Officer Tom Banning and TAFPPAC Chairman Lloyd Van Winkle, M.D., of Castroville, met with several members of the Texas congressional delegation to talk about physician payment reform in Medicare.

TAFP also just released a new video report, “Academy in Action: A Crisis in Medicare.” DVD copies have been sent to the Texas congressional delegation along with a letter outlining the Academy’s concerns.