House GOP Doctors Caucus throws support to restoring Medicare reimbursement

Physicians in the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives have given their endorsement to restoring physician reimbursement in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).

The GOP Doctors Caucus has given its support to the bill known as HR 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act. In an announcement, the GOP Doctors Caucus called it bipartisan legislation that would reform the MPFS “to support physicians and protect access to high-quality, affordable patient care.”

Caucus Co-chairs Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-North Carolina) and Rep. John Joyce, MD (R-Pennsylvania), issued a joint statement with their endorsement.

"Physicians who serve Medicare beneficiaries are at a breaking point due to persistent cuts to their reimbursements," they said. "Doctors are being forced to close their practices, either to retire early or transition into large hospital systems. Patients should be cared for as individuals, not as numbers, nor forced to drive long distances for quality care. Private practice plays an important role in American medicine, and we must ensure its continued viability."

In the bill

If approved, the bill would stop the 2.83% cut to physician reimbursement in the 2025 MPFS, effective Jan. 1. Starting April 1 through the end of 2025, the MPFS would get an additional 2% payment update to reflect the cost of running a medical practice.

Murphy and Joyce noted doctors face a projected increase of 3.6% for the cost of doing business this year, based on the estimate of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. When combined with the reduction, they must deal with a 6.43% differential unless Congress takes action.

Access in jeopardy

In business, that’s unsustainable, especially for doctors in rural and underserved communities, American Medical Association (AMA) President Bruce Scott, MD, said in a statement. AMA and other physician groups have noted the cut to physician reimbursement could force doctors to reduce the number of Medicare patients they serve — or stop taking them altogether.

“You don’t have to be a physician to understand the threat to access for Medicare patients these continued cuts pose. But those of us on the front lines caring for patients see it every day,” Scott said.

“We commend the caucus for its endorsement and urge all patients and physicians concerned about access to contact their lawmakers before the March 14 deadline for the continuing resolution,” he said. “Since its introduction, the bill has picked up support, and everyone in medicine is urging Congress to include this bill in the next spending package. There are now 99 bipartisan cosponsors.

“If Congress were comprised solely of physicians, this would be easy,” Scott added. “But only a handful of lawmakers have practiced medicine, and now they are taking the lead on this issue. We hope the rest of Congress will follow.”