Congress puts off cuts to doctor Medicare payments

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101129/ap_on_bi_ge/us_medicare_cuts

Congress agreed Monday to a one-month delay in Medicare payment cuts to doctors, giving a short-term reprieve to a looming crisis over treatment of the nation's elderly.

The House, in approving by voice vote the bill passed by the Senate earlier this month, postponed a 23 percent cut in doctors' pay scheduled to take effect Dec. 1. That gives lawmakers a month to come up with a longer-term plan to overhaul a system that in recent years has bedeviled Congress, angered doctors and jeopardized health care for 46 million elderly and disabled.

"This bill is a stopgap measure to make sure that seniors and military families can continue to see their doctors during December while we work on the solution for the next year," said Rep. Frank Pallone, R-N.J., chairman of the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee.

Health care payment formulas for military service members and veterans are tied to Medicare.

[MissMarple]

1. They have been doing this every year since the late 90's.

Apparently not paying doctors any where near the costs for patient care was an idea the goppers thought was pretty good idea. They also underpay many hospitals, ambulance companies and nurse practitioners. This is no way to contain costs.

[econoclast]

2. Hate to point out the fly in the ointment

But the 23% cut in physician Medicare reimbursement was one if the cornerstones of making HCR deficit neutral.

It's all there in the CBO budget scoring. NOT doing this screws up the HRC protocol...no?