12-14-12

Fiscal Cliff, Other Deadlines Loom

Media outlets are reporting that Speaker of the House John Boehner and President Barrack Obama are having ongoing discussions about the “fiscal cliff” and sequestration (automatic budget cuts that require are due to take effect on January 2, 2013, that will include drastic reductions to the Defense budget). Additionally, reimbursement rates for physicians seeing   Medicare and TRICARE patients will be reduced by 27 percent effective January 1, 2013, unless the so-called “doc fix” is extended or made permanent.

There are few details on what programs will be cut and how these reductions will impact pay, health care and other military benefits. Congressional members and staff have been told they should plan to stay in Washington through Christmas and FRA will be closely monitoring developments.

As discussions continue, readers can urge their elected officials to support a permanent doc fix at the FRA Action Center.