For Immediate Release

 

MSSNY and Other Medical Associations Call on Congressional Leaders to Reverse Further Staggering Medicare Cuts to Preserve Care to Seniors

 

Westbury, NY, July 25, 2024 – Today, the Medical Society of the State of New York joined the AMA, 49 other state medical associations, and nearly 70 national specialty medical associations in a letter to US Congressional leaders urging immediate action to reverse the growing Medicare patient access to care crisis in large part caused by failure to address annual steep cuts in Medicare physician payment.

The letter to Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urges Congress to swiftly pass H.R. 2474, the “Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act,” bipartisan legislation that would replace annual real dollar cuts with a formula that provides increases tied to the annual rise in office overhead costs.

The letter notes that the cost of delivering patient care has risen dramatically over the past two decades with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimating that medical practice inflation further increased by 4.6% in 2024. Despite this steep increase, physician payment rates were cut at the beginning of 2024 with Congress only mitigating a portion of this cut.

Making matters worse is that physicians are slated for a further nearly 3% payment reduction for 2025 that, absent Congressional intervention, is expected to take effect on January 1.

Physician practices cannot sustain these cuts and continue to provide the care expected by our patients. Indeed, many patients already face delays in accessing care because of the challenges of participating in the Medicare program. Physician practices face rising costs for office rent, clinical, and administrative staff wages, and professional liability insurance. New York already is the most costly state in the country for medical liability insurance coverage.

The letter notes the unfortunate reality that these costs are not adequately reflected in current Medicare payment rates.  Further insulting New York’s and our nation’s hard-working physicians is that they are the only provider type that does not receive annual increases tied to inflation. Hospitals and health plans receive annual increases.  This is grossly unfair and must be changed.

Physicians across New York State join their colleagues across the country in urging the New York Congressional Delegation in taking the lead to respond to this Medicare patient access to care crisis by immediately passing HR 2474 to ensure our seniors continue to have access to their physicians.

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About MSSNY
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 | 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]

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