12.27.11 The House of Representatives and Senate have reached an agreement. Today, both chambers have passed legislation that includes a two-month extension of emergency federal unemployment benefits and a delay in implementation of the 27.4 percent Medicare physician payment cut that is scheduled to take effect January 1. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill shortly. A House-Senate conference committee will convene in January to work on a longer-term agreement. At a press conference, Speaker Boehner said the goal is to extend all the expiring programs for a full year, except for the physician payment cut reprieve which is to be extended for two years.

The LSMS continues to monitor this issue and will share pertinent updates with members as new information is available.