ACG Advocacy Efforts Gaining Momentum: New Legislation Would Reform Medicare Reimbursement
From the Chair of the ACG Legislative and Public Policy Council, Louis J. Wilson, MD, FACG
Good news from Washington, D.C.: This week a bipartisan coalition of doctors in Congress joined forces to introduce the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (HR 2474). The legislation introduced by Representatives Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA), Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA) changes the Medicare physician fee schedule by providing an annual Medicare physician payment update tied to inflation, as measured by the Medicare Economic Index (MEI).
ACG and like-minded medical societies have been advocating for this change and urging Congress to address this crisis impacting our patients and practices. I met with members of Congress in December, including Representatives Bucshon and Miller-Meeks, to discuss ACG's solutions on reforming the antiquated Medicare reimbursement statute is contributing to consolidation, physician burnout, and access to care. We are gaining some momentum!
ACG members will be urging Congress to pass this bill later this month, during the 2023 ACG Advocacy Day. Stay tuned for more updates from ACG.
Inflation Compared to GI Facility Medicare Payment Rates *2012-2023
Click on the image to see a larger PDF version.
Sources: CMS, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Medicare Fee Schedule
*Rate incorporates sequestration to Medicare payments from Budget Control Act of 2011 and Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act