Physicians' groups, led by the American Medical Association, lobbied Congress to include a permanent fix to the SGR in the deficit reduction package. They argued that while fixing the SGR carries a $300 billion price tag, getting the job done now would save the government money down the road. Instead, lawmakers left the SGR out of the package completely.
“I don't know anyone who can continue very well with a 30% reduction in payment for a significant segment of their business,” said Dr. Roland Goertz, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “It just makes it very, very tough.”
Physicians won't stop practicing medicine, Dr. Goertz said, but they may move into another community with fewer Medicare patients or join a group that sees fewer Medicare patients. “Altruism is great, and all of our members have a dedication to patient care, but they also have to understand what their families need.”
Shawn Martin, director of government relations for the American Osteopathic Association, said he expects that Congress will do something to provide short-term relief to physicians on the SGR cut.