The forthcoming reconciliation package must include physician payment provisions. Physicians are facing the 5th consecutive year of Medicare payment cuts and, over the past two decades, Medicare payment rates have fallen by 33%. This leaves physicians struggling to figure out how they can continue to provide needed care to their elderly and chronically ill patients. Recently, Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), along with a bipartisan group of legislators, introduced the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 879). This legislation would prospectively cancel the 2.83% payment cut that went into effect on January 1, while also providing a 2% payment update, helping to stabilize physician practices and protect patients' access to care.

The physician community has aggressively lobbied to see this legislation passed. However, despite assurances from Congressional leadership, it was not included in the recent continuing resolution (CR) government funding bill.

We need your help. Contact your representatives today and urge them to insist that The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 879) language be included in a reconciliation package!