As I write this, the permanent fix to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) has been passed overwhelmingly in the US House of Representatives. The Senate has adjourned for spring break so has yet to vote on the fix, but there is optimism that it will pass when the session resumes. Doctors have feared that the 21% payment reduction that would automatically be triggered if the SGR fix were not passed would result in them having to close their doors to Medicare patients. Congress has postponed the SGR cuts 17 times since 2003. The uncertainty around this legislation and the time that practicing oncologists have spent conjuring up temporary solutions since 2003 is maddening.
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