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WASHINGTON (AP) - We've heard this before: Doctors caring for Medicare patients face a steep pay cut Jan. 1, unless Congress acts.
But this time Congress is pursuing a permanent fix for the annual drama that has undermined the medical profession's confidence in Medicare.
A fundamental budget change has handed lawmakers a rare chance to repeal the broken system for paying doctors.
Slowing health care inflation has slashed by more than half the estimated cost of going to a new system.
Democrats and Republicans plan to push ahead this week with a framework for a new payment policy, although a final fix will have to wait for next year.
The new approach would set up financial carrots and sticks for doctors to provide quality, cost-effective care.
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