In July 2008, Congress passed the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act. The bill blocks physician payment cuts and provides a 0.5 percent increase for payments through the rest of 2008, and another 1.1 percent increase in 2009.

For the last several years, Congress has stepped in at the eleventh hour of the legislative session to avert a payment cut—largely due to the efforts of the intense lobbying by groups such as The Endocrine Society and grassroots efforts.  However, these last minute stays have only postponed, and even increased, the problem because they do not address the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula.

The Society will work with policymakers to identify a long-term solution to the annual physician payment cuts that result from the flawed SGR formula.

Comments on the 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

Access to Affordable and Adequate Diabetes Supplies Position Statement

Pay-for-Performance Position Statement

Summary of Medicare Reform Legislation 

1CD-10 OMB Sign-On Letter

GAO Imaging Report Sign-On Letter

Recommendations to Congress for Medicare SGR Legislation 

2008 Physician Payment Cuts

Letter to the Majority Leader of the Senate on 2007 Physician Payment Cuts

Letter to the Speaker of the House on 2007 Physician Payment Cuts

FY 2009 House Appropriations Committee Public Testimony on NIH Funding

Testimony of E. Chester Ridgway, MD, to the House Appropriations Committee on FY 2005 NIH Funding

Testimony of Marvin Gershengorn, MD, to the House Appropriations Committee on FY 2001 NIH Funding