The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association has announced its support for legislation that would eliminate a health reform law mandate requiring businesses to file IRS 1099 forms for all payments in excess of $600 for services and merchandise.
The ASC Association believes elimination of the mandate would save ASCs thousands of dollars in unnecessary paperwork.
"ASCs offer low costs and superior quality for surgical and preventive care, yet as small businesses they do not have adequate resources to adhere to the healthcare reform law's new mandate," said David Shapiro MD, chair of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, according to a news release. "We encourage the House and Senate to pass the 'Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act.' This bill would keep ASCs' administrative costs at current levels, which is especially important in light of current economic conditions and the nominal update Medicare provided for ASCs in 2011."
The legislation — S. 3578 and H.R. 5141 — is sponsored by U.S. Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) and U.S. Representative Daniel E. Lungren (R-CA).
Read the news release about the legislation from the ASC Association (pdf).