Protect Our Patients - Stop the SGR Cuts

If Congress fails to act, Medicare reimbursement to physicians will be cut by 27.4% across the board early in 2012. The Congress has put our patients at risk, and it is time they spoke out with us!

We urge all members of the American Association of Clinical Urologists to engage patients in this campaign. Valuable tools have been deployed in the SGR Patient Resource Center. We even made it easy for them to send a letter directly to their Senators and Representative.

Inform patients with an SGR Fact Sheet.

Mobilize patients with a Letter to Congress.

Patients and providers must speak with one voice and tell Congress to STOP THESE CUTS.

Call 202-224-3121 and asked to be connected to your elected officials. Utilize tools in the SGR Resource Center.

It’s Time to Head to Washington!

Join the American Association of Clinical Urologists and the American Urological Association in Washington, DC, March 4-6, 2012, and let your voice be heard on Capitol Hill!

Register Today

AACU Urges "Supercommittee" to Repeal SGR

The AACU joined more than 100 state and specialty medical societies in calling for the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to include a repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) update formula in the legislation that it is required to report by November 23, 2011. The letter urges committee-members to "take the fiscally responsible course" and thereby "enable the transition to payment and care delivery innovations that will promote high quality, well coordinated, cost effective care."

Read more

AACU Comments on PSA Screening Recommendation, Urges Ongoing Engagement

UPDATE - USPSTF Reopens Comment Period
(Nov. 30, 2011 - Dec. 13, 2011)

The AACU led a coalition of more than 20 organizations to comment on the USPSTF recommendation against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer regardless of age, race or family history. We argue that basing such a broad statement on insufficient and contradictory evidence will compromise informed decision making and ultimately lead to increased incidence of advanced disease.

Whether or not the recommendation is adopted in its current form, the entire urological community of physicians, patients, extenders and staff are encouraged to remain engaged on this matter. Contact your Member of Congress to stress the importance of patient-centered care and early detection of prostate cancer.

Visit the AACU PSA Test Action Center for More Information

AACU Concerned Over MedPAC Recommendations to Repeal the SGR

Earlier today, AACU sent a letter to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) expressing our concerns surrounding the recent draft proposal to eliminate the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). The plan outlined the Commission’s strategy to reduce costs associated with the repeal of the flawed payment formula. The recommendation included:

• A freeze to primary care services for 10 years
• A 5.9 percent cut to all other services for the next 3 years, and then a freeze for the 7 years following
  

AACU has repeatedly expressed our concerns over continued cuts to Medicare physician payments, and in particular, disproportional cuts to specialists. Commissioners will vote on the final recommendations later this week, and will include these in their report to Congress in March.

Please click here to read AACU’s letter to MedPAC

AACU will continue to keep our membership updated on the situation. If you have any questions regarding this or any other legislative matter please contact us at info@aacuweb.org.