Another hearing, same issues on paying for SGR repeal

Another hearing, same issues on paying for SGR repeal-politicopro: Congress is just two months away from yet another “doc fix” patch expiring, and the fast-approaching date is prompting a new round of conversations on permanently replacing the Medicare payment formula. The House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee held a two-day hearing this week on the policy to replace the Sustainable Growth Rate — which already has the general support of the House and Senate committees that oversee health care — and the thornier question of how to pay for it. Despite the hearing coming well before the March 31 deadline, lawmakers appear no closer to coming to agreement on the payment question.