The ISMA, AMA and more than 100 state and specialty medical societies advised Congressional leaders in a letter last month about the principles and core elements needed to successfully transition to a high performing Medicare program. The message discussed repeal of the flawed Medicare physician payment model, calling the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula “an enormous impediment to successful health care delivery.”

AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D., said, “Today, we offer principles that should be the foundation of a new system that supports physicians in improving the delivery of care with payment options that benefit patients, physicians and the Medicare program.”

In addition to eliminating the SGR, organized medicine said it supports successful delivery reform, a Medicare program that invests and supports physician infrastructure, and Medicare payment updates that reflect the costs of providing services.

Find the letter and statement of principles here.