US Congressmen Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act" (H.R. 10073) - bipartisan legislation, that if passed, would eliminate the looming 2.8% payment cut and provide a 1.8% payment update in 2025, an actual payment increase equal to one half the Medicare Economic Index (MEI).
“I urge all of our members to click on this link and send a clear message to Congress in support of HR 10073. Let us stop the devastating Medicare cuts and support reasonable payment updates to protect our patients' access to care.”
The cuts proposed by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would be devastating for physicians, patients and communities alike which is why Congress needs to act by the end of the year, as the 2.8% reduction would take effect on January 1, 2025. This cut will severely impact patients’ access to critical healthcare services, especially in our most vulnerable communities. Los Angeles County, home to the largest population in the nation protected by Medicare will be hit particularly hard, further exacerbating healthcare access disparities and deepening the crisis for those who rely on Medicare for their care.
LACMA joins CMA in sounding the alarm on behalf of many of our constituents as access to care in Medicare is deteriorating. In fact, the Medicare physician payment system is causing instability in physician practices that is leading to burnout, worsening physician shortages and, ultimately, threatening patient access to care. Physicians want to care for their communities, but without protecting Medicare payments to keep pace with California’s higher costs, it is more difficult for physicians to maintain viable medical practices.
LACMA’s newly formed Legislative Action Committee, led by LACMA president Po-Yin Samuel Huang, MD, is spearheading efforts to alert the Los Angeles Congressional delegation as well as our members to reach out to their local Congressmen/women.
“I urge all of our members to click on this link and send a clear message to Congress in support of HR 10073. Let us stop the devastating Medicare cuts and support reasonable payment updates to protect our patients' access to care.” said Dr. Huang.
Take Action Today!
There are precious few legislative days left before the end of the year, with Congress expected to conduct a "lame duck" session after the elections. This will be the last opportunity for Congress to pass HR 10073 as part of the final year-end package.
That’s why it is so important that you contact your Representative and urge them to cosponsor "The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 10073) today!
Due in large part to physician grassroots advocacy, an overwhelming 233 bipartisan Members of Congress recently signed a letter to House leadership urging them to stop the Medicare cut and provide an inflation update before year-end. CMA is asking for your help once again to get those 233 members to cosponsor the new bill as soon as possible. Physician action makes a difference.
Please contact your representative today to stabilize practices and protect patient access to care.
While this legislation would only address physician payment for 2025, it is a crucial first step in providing much needed relief and achieving our ultimate goal of long-term physician Medicare payment reform in the new Congress.
Everyone agrees the Medicare physician payment system is broken, and it’s time for Congress to do something about it!
LACMA’s newly formed Legislative Action Committee, led by LACMA president Po-Yin Samuel Huang, MD, is spearheading efforts to alert the Los Angeles Congressional delegation as well as our members to reach out to their local Congressmen/women.
“I urge all of our members to click on this link and send a clear message to Congress in support of HR 10073. Let us stop the devastating Medicare cuts and support reasonable payment updates to protect our patients' access to care.” said Dr. Huang.
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