Senate bill would delay imaging cuts
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Legislation introduced in the Senate Aug. 3 would temporarily suspend Medicare spending reductions for imaging services. The "Access to Medicare Imaging Act" (S 3795), introduced by Sens. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), would place a two-year hold on cuts mandated by the Deficit Reduction Act. The moratorium would delay payment reductions until Jan. 1, 2009, allowing time for the Government Accountability Office to analyze the impact of DRA cuts on patient access. S 3795 has seven cosponsors and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. Companion legislation in the House, introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), has been referred to the House Energy & Commerce Committee/Health Subcommittee (1"The Gray Sheet" July 3, 2006, p. 11)...