Senate Process Continues to Finalize Budget Reconciliation Bill

The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance released draft legislative text June 16, excludes the $9 billion in new Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) spending that was included in the U.S. House version of the reconciliation bill passed May 22. The exclusion is noteworthy as the committee has jurisdiction over policy components including healthcare and tax provisions. 

The Senate Finance draft also makes changes to Medicaid provisions of the House bill, including but not limited to alterations to state provider taxes, state directed payments and work requirements. 

The Senate will now begin negotiating the various components of the reconciliation bill before it goes to the full Senate for consideration; Senate leaders’ goal is to pass its version of the bill prior to the July 4 recess.  

Developing final legislation is a very fluid process being closely monitored by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®). If you have questions or would like more information, contact Rebecca Spangler, ACR Senior Government Relations Director.