Last week the U.S. House of Representatives opted to set aside partisan politics in favor of common-sense legislation (H.R. 2) that would repeal Medicare’s flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). While the House chose action over gridlock, the U.S. Senate has tabled the SGR repeal until they return from recess on April 13. Although the SGR takes effect on April 1, physicians will not see the looming 21% payment cuts until a two-week window closes April 14. That leaves the Senate leadership just two days to bring the SGR repeal to a vote.

Although a full repeal is in reach, physician voices are needed now more than ever. You can take two steps today to promote the repeal of the SGR:

1. Sign our letter and contact your Senators’ offices today, urging a vote to repeal the SGR.

2. Donate to the AASM Political Action Committee, which tirelessly works to support lawmakers who champion intelligent health policy.

The SGR has been temporarily patched 17 times over the last two decades, recklessly wasting billions of dollars in lieu of a more fiscally responsible, permanent fix. The national deficit cannot be balanced on the backs of hard-working physicians, leaving Medicare patients to suffer.

The AASM strives to empower hands-on political involvement from its members. Citizen action has never been more impactful or accessible. Get involved today: The health of the sleep medicine field depends on your active political participation.