U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) on Nov. 18 introduced the bipartisan Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2021, which would extend the 2021 Medicare physician payment adjustment of 3.75 percent for an additional year.
H.R. 6020, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), aims to provide relief to physicians who are scheduled to receive Medicare payment cuts next year, according to information provided by Rep. Bucshon’s office.
“Beginning on Jan. 1, 2022, many specialists, therapists and other physicians will be faced with substantial reimbursement cuts — up to 9 percent for many providers — if Congress does not act,” Rep. Bucshon said. “These cuts would make our nation’s doctors work longer hours for less pay during the worst global health crisis of our generation.”
The congressman said that H.R. 6020 would ensure Americans continue to have access to quality care in their communities. “I look forward to continuing to work with congressional leaders to find practical ways to pay for this proposal and advance this important bill into law before Jan. 1, 2022,” he added.
The bill is supported by the California Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Association.
Reps. Bucshon and Bera also recently led more than 245 members of Congress in expressing support for congressional action to address the upcoming payment cuts to physicians, therapists and healthcare professionals before the end of the year.
“The current Medicare payment system does not adequately incentivize high-quality care, and reimbursement has failed to keep up with inflation,” they wrote in an Oct. 14 letter sent to House leaders. “We believe broad systemic reforms to the payment system are critical to speed the transition to value-based care.”
The lawmakers also wrote that the cuts will strain the nation’s healthcare system and jeopardize patient access to medically necessary services.