Congress recessed last week without reaching a deal on sequestration or taking action to extend the Medicare therapy cap exceptions process and avoid cuts to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The Senate resumed legislative business this week. Yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner issued notice that the House will return on Sunday, in hopes that legislators can reach a deal on the fiscal cliff before December 31. However, at this time it is uncertain whether a fiscal cliff deal will be voted on by the deadline. Thus far, congressional negotiators have indicated that an SGR "fix" and a provision to extend the cap exceptions process would be carried in the larger fiscal cliff package.  

APTA is continuing its lobbying efforts to extend the cap exceptions process and prevent SGR payment cuts. Over the next few days, you can weigh in with Congress via APTA's Legislative Action Center and look for information and updates on APTA's Latest Legislative Action webpage as the December 31 deadline approaches. You also can check APTA's Medicare Therapy Cap and Medicare Physician Fee Schedule webpages for up-to-date information.

To help members comply with several new policies that will go into effect next week, APTA has posted "What You Need To Know on January 1, 2013" at www.apta.org/LegislativeAction/.