Advocates urge action now on Medicare doctor payment bill

Kaiser Health News staff writer Chris Weaver reports on developments surrounding efforts in the Senate regarding legislation on Medicare payments to physicians. "Legislation to 'fix' Medicare's physician payment formula has stalled in the Senate, just days after Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced his intent to fast-track the measure. 

 The current proposal which was introduced last week by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., would do away with the formula and the scheduled pay cuts. Because these changes come with an estimated cost of $250 billion to the Medicare program and no off-sets, the bill has riled up budget hawks -- both Republicans and Democrats -- who say they will oppose the legislation until lawmakers find a way to pay for it" (10/20). Read the entire story.