• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

AMA goes to Congress, pushing to stop Medicare payment cuts

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, October 4, 2005

The American Medical Association (AMA) went before Congress last week in its ongoing effort to put a halt to looming Medicare physician payment cuts, according to a statement issued by the Association.

The AMA fears that these cuts, coupled with a rising cost of caring for patients, could cause physicians to stop accepting new Medicare patients and harm patient access to care.

The AMA, in testimony before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, also praised Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT) for lobbying efforts in support of reforming the payment formula.

"We commend Congresswoman Nancy Johnson for introducing legislation (H.R. 3617) that pays physicians fairly based on practice expenses, and provides appropriate incentives for improving quality of care for Medicare patients," said AMA Trustee John H. Armstrong, MD.

"We are deeply concerned that cuts of 26% over the next six years, which begin January 1, will harm patients' access to physician care. In order to make further quality improvements, Congress must reform the current Medicare physician payment system," Armstrong said.

To view H.R. 3617, click here.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive