The AAMC joined other groups representing physicians in a Sept. 30 letter endorsing the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 (H.R. 8800). The AAMC-supported legislation would mitigate physician payment cuts scheduled to take place on Jan. 1, 2023, by providing a 4.42% positive adjustment to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF).
The letter to Reps. Ami Bera, MD, (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-Ind.), the lead sponsors of the legislation, applauded the lawmakers for introducing the bill and recognizing the severe cuts to physician payment that will occur if Congress does not act. “As you are aware, without Congressional action, the entire healthcare clinician community faces a cumulative payment reduction of approximately 8.5%, which includes both the CF changes, as well as a 4% Medicare cut stemming from the Statutory Pay‐As‐You‐Go (PAYGO) Act,” the letter stated.
The letter also emphasized the need to discuss long-term reforms to the MPFS and the groups’ commitment to “identify[ing] and advance[ing] systemic Medicare payment reforms designed to ensure longer‐term stability for clinicians, promote and reward value‐based care, advance health equity and reduce disparities within the Medicare system.”
The letter concluded by noting that the legislation is “an essential step toward providing clinicians with financial stability and ensuring patients have access to critical services our members provide.”
- Washington Highlights