Earlier this week, members of the 112th Congress voted 428-1 to include an amendment to address physician reimbursement as part of H. Res 9, the directions for health care reform replacement action. The amendment directs relevant House committees to draft legislation that would permanently change the formula for determining Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians. With a permanent “doc fix,” Congress would avoid the application of the current sustainable growth rate formula, and avert future Medicare payment cuts.