In This Issue:

- SGR Bill Facing Final Hurdles This Week

- Implementation of the Affordable Care Act

- Other Federal Regulatory Initiatives

- Congressional Initiatives

- Other Health Care News

- Upcoming Congressional Hearings

- Excerpt from SGR Bill Facing Final Hurdles This Week:

Lawmakers are headed back to town today and health care stakeholders are anxiously awaiting final details from Senate leadership on the procedure to vote for a permanent replacement of the Medicare physician payment formula known as the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), also known as the “doc fix.”

Senate leadership staff worked over the recess to come to an agreement on votes for floor consideration in the Senate. At least three measures have been discussed for possible floor consideration including: a Democratic amendment for four-year CHIP extension, as opposed to the current two year measure; an amendment designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries from higher cost-sharing; and an amendment that would remove Medicare therapy caps.