In This Issue:

- SGR Deal Must Wait until after Recess; CMS Outlines Extraordinary Measures

- Implementation of the Affordable Care Act

- Other Federal Regulatory Initiatives

- Congressional Initiatives

- Other Health Care News

- Upcoming Congressional Hearings

- Excerpt from SGR Deal Must Wait until after Recess; CMS Outlines Extraordinary Measures:

This past week, Congress came the closest it has ever come to fully repealing and replacing the flawed physician payment formula known as the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR or “doc fix”) since it was established in 1997.

While the House passed H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), in an overwhelming show of bipartisanship with a 392 to 37 vote on March 26th, the Senate was not able to follow suit before leaving for the two week Easter recess. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation when it returns April 13th. Leading up to the recess, Senate Finance Committee Democrats had threatened to vote against the repeal, due to concerns about the length of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization, while some Senate Republicans voiced serious concerns over passing the SGR bill only partially paid for amid discussions of fiscal responsibility as part of budget negotiations. These concerns—combined with a lengthy debate over the Senate budget—presented procedural hurdles governing the time allocated for debate and limits on amendments.