Congress Contemplates Extended “Doc Fix” as Part of Package – FMAP Extender Still Included for Now - May 5, 2010

After failing to include changes to Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) for physician payments in health reform, congressional leaders are reportedly considering extending the “doc fix” for five years or more. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that permanently repealing the SGR would cost more than $275 billion over the next ten years. A five-year “doc fix,” which would push off cuts mandated by the SGR law until 2016, would cost more than $88 billion. A “doc fix” of any duration may be included as part of the American Workers State and Business Relief Act (AWSBRA), which is currently being negotiated in the House. AWSBRA currently includes a key NAPH priority – a six-month extension of enhanced federal Medicaid payments to states (FMAP), originally included in last year’s economic stimulus law. NAPH has asked all member hospitals to contact their delegations to support immediate enactment of the FMAP extension to Medicaid patient’s access to care.