New York Physicians Outraged at New Medicare Payment Cuts

For Immediate Release
November 7, 2023

 

New York Physicians Outraged at New Medicare Payment Cuts
MSSNY Calls on Congress to enact H.R. 2474, the “Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act,” which would end this annual threat and provide consistency for our community-based practitioners with an annual, permanent inflationary payment update in Medicare tied to the Medical Economic Index

Statement Attributable to:
Paul A. Pipia, MD
President, Medical Society of the State of New York 

“It is outrageous that, as New York physician practices attempt to keep their doors open to deliver patient care to their patients—as they recover from the pandemic and continue to face rapidly rising overhead costs—that the federal government has just announced that there will be another 3.4% to cut Medicare physician payments after facing cuts of 4% last year.  Congress must step in and prevent these cuts as they debate their ‘year-end’ package to fund the government.

“To be clear, this is NOT an increase that is less than inflation.  These are real dollar cuts.  In fact, when factoring in health care inflation, it is actually an 8% cut! And yet every other type of health care provider is receiving inflation-based increases for 2024 from the federal government.  This is not sustainable for the patients we serve and is grossly unfair.”

“In fact, adjusted for inflation in practice costs, Medicare physician payment declined 26% from 2001 to 2023.

“We are thankful that in New York we have several key leaders in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Schumer, House Minority Leader Jeffries and House Conference Leader Stefanik.  We need them, as well as the rest of our New York Congressional delegation, to fight to prevent these cuts and prevent further diminution in our seniors’ access to care.

“We urge Congress to enact H.R. 2474, the “Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act” which would end this annual threat and provide consistency for our community-based practitioners with an annual, permanent inflationary payment update in Medicare tied to the Medical Economic Index.  We thank New York delegation Reps. Goldman, Nadler and Williams for joining as co-sponsors of this legislation and urge the others to join as co-sponsors.

“It is imperative that Congress step up to provide sustainability for our seniors who rely upon their physicians for 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 | 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]