Methodist Sugar Land Hospital hosted the Fort Bend Medical Society's fall meeting recently where U.S. Rep. Pete Olson was the featured speaker.
Olson spoke about the recent Republican Party victory and the objective of the party in controlling the runaway federal spending.
Many members of the society expressed their concern about the proposed 23 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement to doctors.
The cut was expected to become effective on Dec. 1. Olson did not make any specific comment on this issue.
However, the U.S. Senate has passed a one-month extension of the current Medicare physician payment rate.
The House, which has already recessed for Thanksgiving, will not approve the measure until it returns on Nov. 29.
Passage of the bill is necessary to delay a 23 percent reduction in Medicare payments called for by the sustainable growth rate, or SGR, formula and scheduled to take effect on Dec. 1.
According to a statement from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., "Tonight the Senate passed a one-month extension of the current Medicare physician payment rates. It is my intention to schedule this bill for consideration when the House reconvenes on Nov. 29, so we can send it to the president's desk prior to the November 30 expiration date of current SGR relief."