SGR Reform Legislative Update

September 17, 2013

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released its score of legislation to repeal and replace the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). H.R. 2810 would cost $179 billion over ten years. Simply freezing payments for ten years would cost $139 billion. Since H.R. 2810 includes positive updates to physician payments, it is to be expected that CBO projects it to cost more than a simple freeze. The sponsors of this bill have yet to identify a means of paying for the legislation. In the current legislative environment, budget neutrality is a necessity. As Congress reconvenes, it remains to be seen whether the House and Senate can agree on the legislative details, as well as a funding mechanism.