The American Medical Association (AMA) continues working with Congress to stop additional Medicare reimbursement cuts and ensure sufficient compensation for physicians.

As part of this advocacy effort, Reps. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA),  Kim Schrier (D-WA), John Joyce, MD (R-PA), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) recently circulated a letter to House Congressional leadership urging action to not only stop the 2.8% cut scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, but also provide physicians with a payment update that reflects inflationary pressures.

According to recent data, physician Medicare payment rates have fallen 29% over the last two decades when adjusted for inflation, all while the cost of running a practice continues to rise. In fact, the 2025 MPFS Proposed Rule highlights that the cost of running a practice, as measured by the Medicare Economic Index (i.e., expenses associated with paying rent, compensating clinical and administrative staff, and purchasing supplies and equipment) is estimated to increase by 3.6%.

Providing physicians with a permanent, inflationary update reflective of the MEI and targeted reforms to budget neutrality requirements in current law would provide long-term improvements to many aspects of the broken MPFS.
 
Although not listed by name, the letter highlights the key components of H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, and H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, as two bipartisan policy solutions that merit immediate Congressional action. 

While the letter can only be cosigned by members of Congress, ISMA will be listed among the state and national organizations supporting the letter.

The draft of the letter can be read here. Please contact your member of Congress and urge them to sign the Miller-Meeks/Panetta "Dear Colleague" today. The deadline for cosigners is Sept. 27.