The National Commission on Physican Payment Reform

 , March 05, 2012

Washington, D.C.—The Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) announced today that it is launching an independent commission to assess how physicians are paid, and how pay incentives are linked to patient care. The National Commission on Physician Payment Reform will issue recommendations on how to reform the physician payment system in an effort to restrain health care costs while at the same time optimizing outcomes for patients.

Physician payment issues and health care costs are at the forefront of discussion in health policy circles, in the halls of hospitals, and at home around the dinner table. Congress continues to grapple with adjusting the sustainable growth rate (SGR) that determines physician Medicare payment rate cuts, uncertainty continues to surround implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and physicians and policymakers alike agree the continued increases in cost to provide health care services cannot continue.

“This Commission couldn’t come at a better time, given political realities and a desperate need to rein in health care costs while maximizing quality,” said Honorary Chair, former Senator Bill Frist. “We want to continue to provide the best care possible, but the need to constrain costs can no longer be dodged. We are taking away money from nursing homes, schools and other public services to pay for ever-escalating health care expenses.”

Read the full release and get more information at www.physicianpaymentcommission.org