Federal Legislation Introduced to Reform Medicare Payments to Physicians and Protect Patient Access
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Representative Greg Murphy, M.D. (R, NC) has introduced a bipartisan bill, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, to support physicians and protect patient access to care for Medicare beneficiaries. In conjunction with other efforts by the AMA and medical associations across the country, MSSNY has advocated to the New York Congressional Delegation for months urging support for policy changes that protect the state’s physicians and patients and earned support from 18 delegation members for a sign on letter to Congressional leaders urging these changes.
In July 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule that would decrease Medicare reimbursement for physician services by 2.8% beginning on January 1, 2025. Compounded with CMS’ own estimates of a projected 3.6% increase in practice cost expenses for next year, physicians will face a 6.4% cut unless Congress acts. According to the American Medical Association, Medicare reimbursement for physician services has declined 29% from 2001 to 2024, when adjusted for inflation. The new bill would replace the 2.8% cut scheduled for 2025 with a 1.8% increase
Please join your colleagues in our effort to obtain needed Medicare payment increases by sending a communication to your member of Congress here: Be Heard | Physicians Grassroots Network
At a time when New York is struggling with a statewide physician shortage and a historic number of physicians are nearing retirement age, cuts to Medicare risk accelerating physician burnout and reducing access to care for Medicare patients.
MSSNY will continue to work with the AMA and the NY Congressional Delegation to advance this important bill and update members as the issue progresses in Washington.
