Last night (03/02/10), the Senate approved the House-passed bill that extends the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula for Medicare and other payment and benefit provisions.The legislation funds Medicare payments to physicians at the current rate until March 31, 2010, and eliminated a 21% cut in Medicare rates that would have gone into effect this week. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 78 - 19 and President Obama immediately signed it into law. In another measure (HR-4213) that is currently being debated in the Senate, Medicare rates would be frozen until Sept. 30, 2010, thus preventing potential cuts at the end of this month. This bill is expected to pass the Senate later this week or early next and would likely be approved quickly in the House.

The NCAFP will continue to monitor developments in Congress and keep members informed of the outcome.