Medical Group Management Association

From: MGMA Washington Connexion [mgmawashingtonconnexion@mgma.mmsend.com] on behalf of MGMA Washington Connexion [mgmawashingtonconnexion@mgma.com]

Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 10:29 AM

Subject: 12/7: Weekly Healthcare Reform Update

Weekly Healthcare Reform Update

Senate begins debate on healthcare reform

After returning from the Thanksgiving recess, the Senateturned its full attention to the healthcare reform debate. It voted 60-39 before the recess to open debate on H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009. This bill is the merged version of senate healthcare reform bills previously approved by the Finance Committee and Health, Education, Pensions and Labor (HELP) Committee.

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) sent a letter to all senators detailing our concerns with the original version of the legislation. Specifically, we expressed our opposition to:

The failure to permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate formula;
Congress ceding authority over Medicare payment policies to an independent, non-elected advisory board;
Cuts to advanced diagnostic imaging services;
Inadequate medical malpractice reform;
Restrictions on physician-owned hospitals; and
The proposed Medicare and Medicaid provider enrollment fee.

Since weeks of debate and numerous amendments are anticipated, MGMA indicated its willingness to work with legislators to correct significant deficiencies in the legislation.

The Senate remained in session throughout the weekend and has debated a series of amendments. Many contentious issues remain to be debated through the amendment process including the Senate’s version of a “public option” and related abortion amendments. The Senate Democratic leadership continues to express its intention to finalize floor consideration by Christmas.

Dec. 7, 2009

Member Resources

Healthcare Reform Resource Center

Medicare Provider Enrollment Toolkit

Red Flags Rule Resource Center

Recovery Audit Contractors Resource Center

The MGMA® and ACMPE® Entities may from time to time share e-mail lists with carefully selected organizations that we believe will be of interest to you. Please see our privacy policy. To unsubscribe from this or other MGMA/ACMPE communications, please visit your MGMA Profile page or reply to the sender of this e-mail with the subject line "remove".

MGMA
104 Inverness Terrace East
Englewood, Colorado 80112 USA