KSM Healthcare Blog

As many details are continuing to emerge from the new landmark healthcare reform bill, one interesting item for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement is the creation of a new Medicare Commission.  Among other things, the Medicare Commission will set reimbursement levels that, if not taken up by Congress for discussion, will be implemented.  Even if Congress votes for a different allocation or amount of funding, it would still be subject to a possible Presidential veto.

Here's a link to the Financial Times video interview of Peter Orszag, White House Budget Director. 

Especially interesting to me was Mr. Orszag's comment that the Medicare Commission could be as significant to health policy as the Federal Reserve is to fiscal policy.

Could this mark the end of Congress' last minute elimination of statutory cuts to Medicare reimbursement?  Many of our clients thought this was the year the seemingly annual 20%+ cuts to reimbursement would take place.   It will be interesting to see how this new Commission impacts the reimbursement landscape.