After 13 Years - Congress votes to Repeal the SGR!

Learn more about MACRA - the law that repealed and replaced the SGR

TUESDAY APRIL 14:  The Senate voted 92-8 to pass HR2!  SGR repeal, CHIP funding, Teaching Health Centers and more.  Details to follow.  Thank you to every member who called or emailed and to AAFP leadership and staff for their tireless work in leading the grassroots and lobbying efforts! Both Senators Durbin and Kirk voted Yea. 

•Link to AAFP News article
•Link to Leader Voices blog post by Dr. Wergin
•Link to media statement attributed to Dr. Wergin

MONDAY APRIL 13:  The Senate reconvenes on Tuesday, April 14 and shortly thereafter we hope they will vote on HR. 2. We need you to help make approval of this legislation a reality. It is important that we keep the phones ringing in the Senate offices. Please continue to urge your leadership and your members to call 866-629-5269. Even if you have already called, please call again. This is about making sure your voice is heard and the Senate acts.  Click here for talking points and links to AAFP Resources on this issue.
 
Don't hesitate.  Let's repeal SGR once and for all!
 If this fails, Congress will enact the 19th short-term patch and physicians will see three more years of an inequitable payment system that is mired in fee-for-service and minimizes the value of primary care.

On Tuesday, March 24, H.R. 1470 was considered by the House Rules Committee.  At that time, the CHIP & Extenders package was added to the SGR bill – a new bill formed – H.R.2 -  cleared by the Rules Committee for consideration by the House.   This bill also includes two-year extended funding for the Teaching Health Centers program, which includes Northwestern McGaw Family Medicine Residency in Chicago.

UPDATE MARCH 27 - The Senate went to recess without voting on H.R.2 - Next opportunity to act will be April 13.  Please contact Senate district offices over the break.

Sen. Dick Durbin:  201-492-4062 (Springfield) 312-353-4952 (Chicago)

Sen. Mark Kirk:  312-886-3506 (Chicago)

Link to AAFP's statement critical of the Senate for not acting before the break and urging them to address H.R. immediately upon returning to Capitol Hill.

UPDATE MARCH 26: The US House passed H.R. 2 vote 392-37, All Illinois Representatives voted yes, EXCEPT Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Randy Hultgren. The Bill now goes to the Senate for fast consideration.  PLEASE contact Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. Mark Kirk and urge them both to vote YES. Sen. Durbin 202.224.2152 and Sen. Kirk 202.224.2854.

The bill that AAFP is now supporting is now H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. Here are some updated talking points for those making calls to their Senators:
You are a family physician who practices in City, State
•    You are calling on behalf of the American Academy of Family Physicians to urge him or her to support H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015
•    Another temporary patch is not the answer
•    Congress’ previous failure to act has cost $169.5 billion

• This bill also extends the Teaching Health Center program for another two years.  Northwestern McGaw family medicine residency in Chicago relies on this funding mechanism. 

•    Senators/staff can call the AAFP with questions at (202) 232-9033  

AAFP will publicly be against any patch, as will many other physician colleague organizations.
     
Speak Out: Use this simple system to write a letter to your Senator. The main points are in the letter for you, but tailor the opening to make it your own! 

Tweet Away: If you have a twitter account, please tweet to your legislators. If you want to create a tweet on your own, please include #docfix and #aafp.

We need to turn up the heat and remind Congress who family medicine is and Medicare will not succeed without us.  We can only do that if everyone participates! Thank you in advance for your efforts on this.