IME Relief for Teaching Hospitals
Unlikely in 2002
November 15, 2002 - Despite providers' efforts to
ensure that relief for both hospitals and physicians would
be on the Congressional "lame duck" agenda, it does
not appear that comprehensive provider relief legislation
will be addressed in 2002. Provider relief was not included
in the Nov. 13 House-passed continuing funding resolution
(CR), a potential legislative vehicle for such relief. Meanwhile,
language allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) to make administrative changes to the Medicare physician
payment formula has been included in other legislation that
will be considered by the House on Nov. 14 (see related
article).
It has been reported that spokesmen for the Senate Appropriations
and Senate Finance committees said they were unsure whether
any of the provisions of provider giveback bill will be addressed
when the Senate considers a CR. A spokesman for Senate Majority
Leader Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.) said the CR could be brought
up as soon as Nov. 14.
The AAMC has been urging that members of the House and Senate,
and the Administration take immediate action on provider payment
relief during the Congressional "lame duck" session.
The AAMC believes that Congress should not vote to adjourn
until it passes legislation providing Medicare IME and physician
payment improvements for America's teaching hospitals and
physicians.
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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