Burgess, Wenstrup work to avert impending Medicare payment cuts

U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) have urged House leadership to find a solution to avert looming Medicare payment cuts to health care providers that are part of year-end legislation. 

Reps. Burgess and Wenstrup serve as co-chairs of the GOP Doctors Caucus along with U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD). In a Dec. 15 letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the congressmen said they are particularly concerned about the impact of Medicare cuts in rural and underserved communities. 

“Health care providers, particularly those serving rural and underserved communities, are often heavily reliant on Medicare payments to keep their lights on and doors open,” the GOP Doctors Caucus co-chairs said in a joint statement. “Congress must act. We are committed to responsibly addressing these payment cuts before the end of the year and look forward to working on a long-term solution in the next Congress.”

The lawmakers noted that health care providers are facing burnout and turnover after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are concerned that severe, impending reductions to Medicare payments will result in hiring freezes, elimination of services provided to seniors, and decreased patient access to health care services, especially following a year of record high inflation,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter that also was signed by 83 Republican House Members.

More than 160 medical and health care organizations, including the American Medical Association, support congressional action to stop Medicare payment cuts.