Press Release

Today, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) responded to the final Physician Fee Schedule Rule, which reflects a 3.4% cut to the conversion factor used for calculating physician reimbursement. Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) with the intent of moving toward a system that would ensure physicians were paid for the value of the work they do to keep patients healthy. However, MACRA’s problematic implementation along with budget neutrality restrictions have led to repeated significant cuts to physician reimbursement. It has become clear that additional reforms to MACRA are necessary. Dr Bucshon and Dr. Bera have remained active in this space for years, including penning a Request For Information (RFI) in 2022 and advocating for the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474). In a bipartisan manner, Dr. Bera and Dr. Bucshon will continue advocating to mitigate reductions in physician reimbursement and to incentivize participation in a value-based care system. Together, Dr. Bera and Bucshon released the statement below:

“The finalized CMS payment cut to physicians will only impede patients’ access to care while increasing the gap between physician expenses and reimbursement rates,” said the Representatives. “With a severe shortage of physicians already impacting the United States, the declining reimbursement and rapidly rising costs will push more doctors out of the profession, especially in rural and underserved areas. We are pleased that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Finance Committee have indicated plans to consider policies to address this problem in both the short-term and on a long-term basis. It is imperative that Congress takes action to halt this downward spiral of physician reimbursement and develop a permanent solution that provides much needed and deserved stability for America’s doctors.”