On April 1, family physicians across the country face a dramatic 21% cut in their Medicare payments as a result of the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. This failed policy has plagued physicians and has stunted innovation in care delivery for more than a decade. Ridding the Medicare program of this policy has been a top priority for the AAFP for several years.
The AAFP has been working aggressively and it is our understanding that the House of Representatives is very close to introducing SGR repeal and payment reform legislation based on the AAFP supported bipartisan/bicameral agreement reached in the 113th Congress. The current version of this proposal, developed by Speaker John Boehner, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, has an excellent opportunity to be considered by the full House in the next 15 days. Passage in the House is a critical first step towards achieving our goal of repealing this failed payment formula once and for all.
We have two activities that we are soliciting your assistance with:
- Send a letter to your elected officials using Speak Out. Find a draft letter here: Chapter Sign On Letter
- Join the AAFP in a virtual lobby day on Thursday, March 19 urging the House of Representatives to pass SGR repeal and physician payment reform legislation. AAFP is establishing a toll-free phone line that will connect family physicians with their Representatives. Additional details that includes the toll free number will be pushed out in the next few days.