Companion Legislation for Medicare Bill Introduced

Due to Congressional inaction in 2024, physicians received yet another 2.83% payment cut starting January 1, 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year that Medicare physician payment has been cut. In fact, since 2001, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 33%. The accumulative effects of these cuts will have a direct impact on patients' access to quality care.

Recently, Sen. Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS) introduced the "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act" (S. 1640), companion legislation to H.R. 879, which was introduced earlier this year by Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).

This legislation, if passed, would temporarily reverse the damaging 2.83% cut and provide a much-needed 2% positive payment update, which is an increase equivalent to roughly half of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for 2025, helping to stabilize physician practices and protect patients' access to care.

Please join the thousands of patient advocates from across the country who have already taken action by contacting your Senators and urge them to cosponsor the "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act" (S. 1640) today!