Lack Of Permanent "Doc Fix" Could Undermine Health Reform

The AP (5/27, Alonso-Zaldivar) reports, "For the third time this year, Congress is scrambling to stave off a hefty pay cut to doctors treating Medicare patients -- even as the Obama administration mails out a glossy brochure to reassure seniors the health care program is on solid ground."

Notably, the "21.3 percent cut will take effect June 1 unless Congress intervenes in the next few days." The AMA and other physician groups say they want a permanent solution to the problem, and many doctors say they may no longer accept Medicare patients.

The AP points out that this issue "could undermine key goals of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, which envisions using Medicare to test ideas for improving the quality of care for all Americans."