Thankfully, Congress has started to take this threat to the future of physician practices and their patients seriously.

Recently, Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and 6 of their Congressional Colleagues introduced the "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act" (H.R. 10073). This bipartisan legislation seeks to eliminate the looming 2.8% payment cut and provide a 1.8% payment update in 2025, an actual payment increase equal to one half the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), helping to stabilize physician practices and protecting patients' access to care.

Time is running out – there are precious few legislative days left before the end of the year with Congress expected to conduct a "lame duck" session after the elections. This will be the last opportunity for Congress to pass H.R. 10073 as part of the final year-end package.

That's why it is so important that you contact your Representative and urge them to cosponsor "The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 10073) today!  

While this legislation would only address physician payment for 2025, it is a crucial first step in providing much needed relief and achieving our ultimate goal of complete physician Medicare payment reform in the new Congress.

Everyone agrees the Medicare physician payment system is broken, and it's time for Congress to do something about it!