CMS “will continue to work with Congress and physician groups to identify payment methods that help improve the quality and efficiency of care in a way that is mindful to not increase costs to taxpayers, Medicare and its beneficiaries.”

— Kerry Weems, acting CMS administrator, on his agency’s role in working on proposed new budget items for healthcare, “Congress seen likely to cover cuts in 2008 Part B doctors’ fees,” pp. 1, 6.