Thirty senators have signed a letter that was sent on December 19th to leaders urging enactment of legislation to improve medicare payments. Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) both key members of the Senate Finance Committee, spearheaded the effort by urging their colleagues to sign the letter, which was delivered to then Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). The letter reminds the leaders that the start of the fiscal year on October 1 brought a number of reductions in reimbursements to Medicare providers. Additionally, other cuts will occur within the next few months unless Congress acts quickly to alleviate them. The letter urges the Senate leaders to work with House leaders on provider payment relief legislation after Congress returns in early January. See the letter and the list of signers at www.aha.org -article from CAHS News and Notes