MINNEAPOLIS, June 16, 2008—The Minnesota Medical Association delegation to the American Medical Association joined with other state and specialty society delegations in signing a letter to all senators about the current crisis in Medicare physician payment cuts—with the message that Congress has to break through this legislative gridlock and get the job done.

The Senate failed last week to approve a motion that would have allowed floor consideration of legislation to address the Medicare physician payment crisis.

"There are less than ten legislative calendar days before a scheduled 10.6 percent Medicare cut occurs," the letter said.

"If Congress fails to act, physicians will be forced to make difficult practice decisions that will affect seniors' access to care, as well physicians' office employees," the letter said. "There is no acceptable excuse for the Senate and the House to fail to pass legislation to fulfill commitments Congress has made to avert Medicare physician payment cuts."