Question for physicians, politicians: Is 'doc fix' part of Capitol Hill negotiations?

Medical providers are hoping that part of the fiscal cliff negotiations includes adjusting the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for Medicare.

Politico Pro: Hill Has No Backup Plan On Doc Fix-;Yet
Lawmakers are betting the "doc fix" will be part of a potential fiscal cliff bargain -; but if that doesn't happen, they admit there's currently no Plan B. They say they're confident that if President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner reach a deal before the end of the year, it will certainly include another patch to the Sustainable Growth Rate. ... Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, ... insisted there's still enough time to figure it out (Cunningham, 12/12).

CQ HealthBeat: Physicians Push For New Payment System
Doctors will be lobbying in full force on Capitol Hill on Thursday in hopes of convincing lawmakers to block the nearly 27 percent Medicare cut set to take effect in a couple of weeks. The American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons and the American Osteopathic Association will not only ask lawmakers to stop the cut scheduled for Jan. 1 but also will ask them to repeal the current payment structure known as the sustainable growth rate formula (Adams, 12/12).