WASHINGTON (October 15, 2090)--The American Medical Association is launching a coast-to-coast TV ad campaign to press Congress to approve higher payments for doctors who treat Medicare patients.

The doctors group announced the ads Thursday, a day after Democrats agreed to push a $247 billion bill through the Senate next week averting scheduled cuts in physicians' Medicare fees.

A 21 percent reduction is scheduled to go into effect in January.

The ad, which the AMA said would cost seven figures, says the bill will "protect seniors' access to quality care" and tells people to urge senators to vote for it.

The spots will run in 12 states with wavering senators of both parties, including North Carolina, Florida and Alaska, and in Washington, D.C.