ASTROgram: SGR update

The two-month fix to prevent the 21.2 percent sustainable growth rate (SGR) cut will expire at the end of February. If Congress does not act, on March 1, 2010, radiation oncologists will experience a decrease of 21.2 percent to the physician fee schedule conversion factor, resulting in significant payment cuts for physicians' services. The Senate last week passed so-called "pay-go" legislation requiring Congress to pay for much of its future spending without adding to the deficit, but it exempted $82 billion from the requirement to prevent the physician pay cuts. The move allows Congress to prevent five years' worth of cuts, but it still must authorize the spending before February 28, 2010, or else doctors will face the 21.2 percent cut March 1, 2010. ASTRO staff continues to monitor this issue and is working diligently to stop these cuts.

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