After months of negotiations, Congress passed a health extenders bill on December 19. The bill:

• Provides a 0.5% increase to Medicare physician payments for January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. The payment rates thereafter would revert to the original CMS-established payment rates for 2008, with a 10.1% cut thus going into effect on July 1, 2008. Congress would again have to step in to stop the cut.
• Extends the physician quality reporting initiative (PQRI) through December 31, 2008, authorizing 1.5% bonus payments for participation.
• Extends the incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas for six months.
• Extends the floor on work geographic adjustment (GPCI) for six months.
• Extends the State Children's Health Insurance Program through March 31, 2009.

Thank you to the Heart Rhythm Society members who took part in our repeated calls to “Take Action!” The 1,677 e-mails generated to Congress increased the pressure from the physician community for Congress to stop these unsustainable and unfair payment cuts.

Heart Rhythm Society staff, in collaboration with other national societies, will be laying the groundwork for the first half of 2008 to work with Congress to stop future cuts.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please contact Nevena Minor, Manager of Legislative Affairs, at nminor@HRSonline.org or (202) 464-3431.