House leaders commit to permanent reform in the Medicare physician payment formula

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and the chairs of the three committees leading the health reform effort, Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, and Rep. George Miller, Chair of the Committee on Education and Labor, reaffirmed their commitment today to permanent reform of the Medicare physician payment formula (the "sustainable growth rate" or SGR formula).

The House leaders issued the following statement:

"The House remains committed to a permanent reform in Medicare physician payments. Fair payment and strong physician participation are essential for the stability of Medicare and to maintain access to care for its beneficiaries. While we are disappointed in the Senate vote, the House remains strongly committed to addressing this critical issue, while respecting the commitment to statutory "pay-go" outlined in a letter earlier this year from the Speaker and the Leader. We are confident that we will enact the payment reform this year."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House