Nick Manetto Weighs in on the Possibility of Congress Reforming the Sustainable Growth Rate

The deadline for Congress to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) is at the end of March 2014 and many physician groups around the country, including the American Medical Association, have intensified their request for permanent reform to the funding formula.

Nick Manetto, Director at FaegreBD Consulting, represents providers and patient advocacy organizations told HealthLeaders Media that at this time it's difficult to predict whether Congress will repeal SGR by the deadline. "That is the $64,000 question," Manetto said. "There is a lot of agreement on the core policy and the provisions of the legislation, but now the biggest question out there is really what's the final price tag and how is it going to be paid for?"

Manetto urged physician organizations to closely watch developments in Congress on this issue, as the challenge will be for organizations to move quickly once a set of cuts have been identified and agreed upon.