Latest Round of Medicare Payment Cuts Demands Action by Congress to Protect Seniors’ Access to Care

November 5, 2026
For Immediate Release

 

Latest Round of Medicare Payment Cuts Demands Action by Congress to Protect Seniors’ Access to Care

 

Statement Attributable to:
Mark J. Adams, MD, MBA, FACR
President, Medical Society of the State of New York 

“We are deeply disappointed by yesterday’s CMS announcement of sharp cuts in Medicare payment for physician care to our seniors in 2027.  Many community-based physician practices are struggling to stay afloat, and many others have faced little choice but to become employees of consolidated health systems because of pervasive cuts.  Medicare physician payment has dropped over 30% over the last 2 decades 2026 Medicare updates compared to inflation chart | AMA.

“Making matters even worse for 2027 are even further steep cuts for instances when multiple healthcare services are provided to our patients on the same day, cuts that which are already beginning to be implemented by private insurers.  MSSNY has been advocating for legislation (A11688, Weprin) in New York which would prohibit private health insurers from making similar types of cuts.

“These actions by CMS and private insurers will make it harder and harder for our patients to receive care from their community-based physicians and make this care far less efficient by for our patients.

“When Congress returns to Washington for its December “lame duck” Session, one of its priorities must be the enactment of HR 9693, the Patients First Act, legislation which would replace these cuts with annual increases to the Medicare payments consistent with changes in the costs of running a medical practice.  Most other care providers receive annual Medicare increases, and it is grossly unfair that the essential care provided by physicians is treated so differently. We thank NY Congressional members Tim Kennedy, George Latimer, Joseph Morelle, and Tom Suozzi for joining as co-sponsors.

There has been much focus on the cost of care consequences of healthcare consolidation. Unfortunately, these latest unfair Medicare cuts will continue these consolidation trends – unnecessarily further driving up the costs of care while simultaneously reducing access to care for our senior patients – not only in Medicare but across all insurance coverage. We urge our policymakers to step in to help protect our patients’ continued access to community-based medical care.”

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Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents, and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all. 

 

Media Contact:
Roseann Raia | Sr. Manager, Communications
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
516.488.6100 x302 | [email protected]

Julie Vecchione
Vice President, Communications
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
516.488.6100 x340 | [email protected]