Medicare Reform Bill Passes U.S. Senate

     House Joint Resolution 2 passed through the U.S. Senate on January 23^rd.  Issues addressed in this bill include a temporary solution to the impending 4.4% Medicare physician payment cut.  The passage of this bill is viewed as a victory for Medicare patients and physicians.  The Senate action, if signed into law by March 1, will stop further cuts in Medicare.  If Congress doesn’t act by March 1^st physicians will take Medicare cumulative payment cuts of nearly 10%.