No Imaging Cuts in House SGR Bill
Washington, DC (Dec. 9, 2011) -- The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act (HR 3630) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representative today. Among other things, HR 3630 prevents an across the board 27 percent cut to Medicare physician reimbursement statutorily required by the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. The bill provides physicians with a 1 percent increase in Medicare payments for 2012 and 2013.
Largely due to ACR advocacy and grassroots efforts by its members, there are no medical imaging cuts in HR 3630. More than $1.3 billion in imaging cuts had been considered at various times throughout this process.
A House vote on HR 3630 is expected to take place December 13. It is unclear at this point whether the bill will pass the House. If it does pass, the bill will advance to the Senate where it faces significant opposition.
The ACR is extremely disappointed and frustrated that HR 3630 does not include language from HR 3269, the Diagnostic Imaging Services Access Protection Act, despite the fact that HR 3269 now has 127 cosponsors in the House. HR 3269 would block implementation of a 25 percent multiple procedure payment reduction to the professional component payment for MRI, CT and ultrasound exams.
ACR will continue to press Senators to include language from HR 3269 in any SGR legislation considered in the U.S. Senate. The College will continue to update members regarding inclusion of HR 3269 in any final SGR legislation. Please continue to monitor the ACR website for further updates.
