Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
AARP Presses Congress To Exempt Medicare From Cuts To Pay For Tax Bill
The Hill: AARP: Congress Must Prevent 'Sudden Cut' To Medicare In 2018
The AARP is urging House and Senate leaders to waive congressional rules so the Republican tax bill doesn't trigger deep cuts to Medicare. If Republicans pass their tax bill, which would add an estimated $1 trillion to the federal deficit, congressional “pay-as-you-go” rules would require an immediate $150 billion in mandatory spending cuts to offset the impact. ... Under the bill, according to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicare would be faced with a $25 billion cut in fiscal 2018. (Weixel, 12/7)
And a congressional advisory panel is suggesting changes in Medicare's new payment system for doctors —
Modern Healthcare: MedPAC Finalizes Its Proposed MIPS Replacement
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has finalized a recommendation that urges the repeal and replacement of a Medicare payment system that aims to improve the quality of patient care. To avoid penalties under MACRA, physicians must follow one of two payment tracks: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, or MIPS, or advanced alternative payment models like accountable care organizations. On Thursday, the Commission presented a draft recommendation that will be voted on in January. It asks Congress to eliminate MIPS and establish a new voluntary value program in which clinicians join a group and are compared to each other on the quality of care for patients. (Dickson, 12/7)
