With yesterday the last day on the CMS hold on processing payments, Congress needs to act on the SGR today to stop a 21.3 percent reduction in physician payment.  The ACC has partnered with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) on a petition drive to fight the flawed SGRrrr and preserve patient access. We are the first specialty society to partner with the TMA on this critical campaign. During one of the seven rallies held last week across Texas to launch the campaign, TMA President William H. Fleming III, M.D., said: "We need more than Band-Aids. We need more than sutures. We need a complete transplant. This is all about Medicare patients' access to physicians' care. Congress created this problem, and only Congress can fix it." The goal of the campaign is to gather one million signatures from health care providers and their patients and share them with Congress and the president. To sign the online petition, go to: Me and My Doctor.

Let's hope we hear some good news later today. Either way, the ACC isn't going to stop fighting until we get a payment system that places an increased focus on evidence-based medicine and quality of care improvements.

UPDATE (11:12 am): The Senate has passed a two-month patch to give them more time to discuss a long-term fix. The House still must pass the same bill later today.

UPDATE (10 am 4/16): The House voted last night to approve the measure, which would postpone the cut from taking effect until June 1.