Congress has introduced H.R. 879, known as the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, which aims to reverse a 2.83% cut to Medicare physician payments that began in January. The bill proposes ending these cuts and implementing a 2% payment increase to help physicians recover some of their financial losses from earlier in the year.
Florida, with its large retiree and senior population, is identified as being particularly affected by these payment changes. Advocates argue that stabilizing physician payments is important for maintaining financially viable medical practices and ensuring the state can continue to attract and retain medical professionals.
Since 2000, inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursement rates have dropped by over 30%. Stakeholders say this trend cannot continue if access to care is to be preserved. While H.R. 879 does not resolve all issues related to the broader Medicare payment system—which many agree requires significant reform—it seeks to address the immediate impact of recent payment reductions.
The Florida Medical Association expressed gratitude toward Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and other cosponsors for supporting the resolution. “The FMA thanks Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and the other cosponsors of this resolution. Please contact your representative today and ask them to cosponsor the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act.”
