On January 1, 2025, a 2.83 percent cut to Medicare physician payments took effect. Over the past decade, Medicare reimbursements have declined by 33 percent when adjusted for inflation and the rising costs of running a healthcare practice. These repeated cuts make it increasingly difficult for physicians to sustain their practices and continue providing quality care to Medicare patients. Physicians are committed to their patients and their oath to provide quality care, but when reimbursement rates fail to cover the rising costs of delivering that care, the financial burden becomes unsustainable. 

If Congress does not act, more physicians will be forced to limit the number of Medicare patients they see, retire early, or sell their practices, leading to greater consolidation within healthcare. This will limit patient choice, increase wait times, and make it even harder for Medicare patients to access healthcare. The impact is clear: these cuts threaten the stability of physician practices and the accessibility of care for Medicare patients. 

The bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 879) offers a critical solution to this issue. This legislation would reverse the 2.83 percent cut and provide a 2 percent inflationary adjustment for 2025, helping physicians and healthcare practices keep up with rising expenses. Without this relief, the financial strain on physicians will only worsen, further limiting patient access to care.  

Physicians and patients cannot afford more inaction from Congress. Lawmakers must act now to protect patient access to care and ensure fair reimbursement for physicians. Contact your representatives today and urge them to cosponsor H.R. 879. Take action today! 

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