ACR Drives Urgency For Medicare Pay Fix in Senate Bill

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) highlighted the urgent need for a permanent Medicare physician pay fix in a June 23 letter  to U.S. Senate leaders. ACR told leaders the opportunity is now to provide stability in the Medicare program.

The initial version of the Senate Committee on Finance bill released last week did not contain Medicare physician payment policy reform. The College noted, however, that there are multiple steps to come - first within the Senate and then to reach agreement with the previously passed U.S. House version.

“Not including payment reforms in the Finance Committee proposal is not a positive sign that Congress will address these long-standing issues in this bill,” said Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, ACR CEO. “Still, the bill is far from done; there will also be other legislative vehicles to be considered by Congress this year. ACR will continue to advocate for radiologists, their practices and their patients, and work to have our priorities addressed during this Congress.”

If you have questions, contact Rebecca Spangler, ACR Senior Government Affairs Director.