December 8, 2021 - WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) have introduced legislation to prevent the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ planned physician payment cuts scheduled to begin January 1, 2022 and maintain the current funding levels through next year.

(Left) Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

Over 6 million California residents have Medicare coverage, accounting for more than 10 percent of nationwide enrollment. Medicare physician payment cuts could disrupt patients access to care. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Ami Bera, M.D. (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.).

“Our frontline physicians have worked heroically throughout the COVID pandemic to keep our families and communities healthy,” said Padilla. “The pandemic has not ended, and it would be wrong to now cut their pay and jeopardize patient care. I’m glad to work with Senator Boozman on this commonsense measure to support our medical professionals.”

“As an internal medicine doctor by training, I know that cutting payments for physicians during the middle of a global pandemic will only further strain our health care system and the ability for health care professionals to serve their patients,” said Representative Ami Bera M.D., who previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Sacramento County. “Our frontline health care workers are heroes keeping our communities safe and healthy during this pandemic, and they deserve our full and unwavering support. Congress needs to prevent these harmful cuts from occurring.”

“Cutting physician payments while we continue to navigate through a pandemic is a terrible policy that could exacerbate our situation. We’re demanding more of our doctors now than ever before and this legislation will ensure patients continue to have access to quality and affordable health care,” Boozman said.

“Our nation’s health care heroes have proven to be the first line of defense while facing unprecedented mental health and economic challenges,” said Marshall. “As we reach out second year of overcoming COVID-19, health care providers have yet been able to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. Simply put, Congress cannot afford to cut their pay. If Congress does not address these reimbursement cuts by the end of the year, it will drastically impact the future of health care delivery and our nation’s ability to combat future pandemics. I urge Senate leadership to immediately pass our bipartisan legislation.”

“Montana’s health care workers have continued to work tirelessly to keep our state safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cutting their pay is not an option,” said Tester. “We’re already facing a shortage of frontline physicians, particularly in rural areas, and slashing these payments would have disastrous effects on the health and well-being of families in the Treasure State.”

“As an internal medicine doctor by training, I know that cutting payments for physicians during the middle of a global pandemic will only further strain our health care system and the ability for health care professionals to serve their patients,” said Representative Ami Bera M.D., who previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Sacramento County. “Our frontline health care workers are heroes keeping our communities safe and healthy during this pandemic, and they deserve our full and unwavering support. Congress needs to prevent these harmful cuts from occurring.”

“Time is running out to find a solution that protects our nation’s seniors by stopping these harmful Medicare cuts,” said American College of Surgeons’ Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS. “While the bill introduced by Senators Boozman, Padilla and Marshall is an important step to stopping these harmful cuts, Congress needs to understand this is not enough. If these cuts take effect, they will further exacerbate the strain surgeons and other health care providers are facing due to the pandemic.”

A copy of the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2021 is available here.
Source: Senator Alex Padilla