Thirty senators signed a letter that stated their opposition to further cuts to medical imaging, a document that was addressed to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Ranking Member Charles Grassley. The body continues to craft its version of Medicare legislation this fall.
The letter, drafted by Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., garnered support from 18 Democrats and 12 Republicans. Calling attention to cuts that were included in the CHAMP Act, it states, “These reductions are being proposed on top of the $13 billion of recently implemented cuts in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. … We hope that you will oppose additional cuts to these critical medical services proposed by the House.”
According to the American College of Radiology, “the message is being delivered at a critical time as lawmakers work to halt a looming 10 percent cut in overall physician reimbursement called for under the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula.” The Senate and House have referred to next year’s SGR cut as “must pass” legislation that will provide for other changes to the Medicare program.
