SGR fix bill defeated in cloture vote

22 October 2009

Despite almost 2,000 physician contacts to Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, on October 21, 2009 both Senators voted against the motion to invoke cloture to allow the Senate to consider S. 1776, the bill that would permanently repeal the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and set future payment rates at current levels. Sixty votes were needed to invoke cloture and begin debate on the bill. The motion failed on a vote of 47-53. By eliminating the $246 billion accumulated SGR debt, S. 1776 would have set a foundation for establishing a more rational Medicare physician payment system in subsequent legislation.

Both senators' offices contacted MSV during the vote on Wednesday afternoon to inform us that they would not support the cloture vote. Sen. Warner has continually noted his concern about the cost of the SGR fix and the impact it would have on the budget. Read Sen. Warner’s statement on his vote here. 

Although we are deeply disappointed by the outcome of this vote, Sens. Warner and Webb have both expressed to MSV their interest in seeing a fix to the SGR payment formula. MSV will continue its outreach to Sens. Warner and Webb's offices to call for their support of a permanent SGR fix. We continue to believe that Congress must permanently repeal the SGR to fulfill its commitment to our nation’s senior citizens, military families, and physicians who care for them.

We appreciate your efforts to reach out to the Senators on this critical issue. We will keep you informed of future developments.