NASS announces its support of SGR repeal legislation

The North American Spine Society today announced its support of the bipartisan SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4015/S. 2000) and called for swift passage of the legislation.

In a press release, the North American Spine Society (NASS) stated this support is the latest in its movement to have Congress to replace the sustainable growth rate (SGR) with a system that offers payment changes for physicians and maintains delivery of high quality, evidence-based spine care to Medicare-eligible patients.

“NASS applauds Congress for setting aside politics and putting our nation’s most vulnerable citizens—seniors and people with disabilities—first,” John Finkenberg, MD, NASS advocacy committee chair, stated in the press release. “While this proposed legislation is not perfect, it significantly improves upon the flawed sustainable growth rate formula and more fairly reimburses providers without jeopardizing patients’ access to high-quality care.”

This legislation contains many items that NASS has lobbied for and recommended. According to the release, these include SGR repeal, creation of a merit-based incentive payment system, development of quality measures done in consultation with physicians, and physician-developed clinical care guidelines.

“Now comes the hard part — Congress needs to find a way to pay for this legislation that does not negatively impact the ability of physicians to care for their patients,” Finkenberg stated.