The AMA, AAFP and other physician organizations have to lobby congress every year to temporary fix this drastic cut that would occur otherwise. I don't remember all the details but it has something to do with the original medicare reimbursement formula. Every year I see it in the journals. These groups have for years been asking congress to fix the formula so they don't have to fight against cuts every year. The bills did create a longer fix but now they may take that out, then they will lose the few physician organizations that have given support.Unlike other grants/payments (ex. social security benefits) that increase with inflation and cost of living, we have a yearly fight to battle against a decrease in payment/reimbursement for services. Primary care salaries have remained the same for the last 10 years as costs of living have gone up and overall docs are working more hours, have more debt, longer schooling and seeing far more patients than docs in previous decades...and they are pushed around by hospital administrators. The average general doc (primary care, peds, internists) make $130,000/yr if you are employed. Private docs have the potential to make more but often struggle for years before they get there.
