Reforming Medicare reimbursement is the ACR’s number one legislative priority. Physician champions in the House—Rep. Brad Wenstrup, DPM (R-Ohio), Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.), and Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-Texas)—are pushing their Republican colleagues to fund crucial reforms before the end of this Congress.
As healthcare providers, you best know the impact of reimbursement cuts on practices and patient access to care. Grassroots efforts carried by constituent voices are the strongest form of advocacy. Take a few minutes today to message your lawmakers from the ACR legislative action center.
The ACR is encouraged that conversations around this topic are happening across the Hill. In May, the Ways & Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing on The Collapse of Private Practice: Examining the Challenges Facing Independent Medicine, and the ACR sent a response suggesting several policy solutions.
Also in May, the Senate Finance Committee released a white paper titled Bolstering Chronic Care through Physician Payment: Current Challenges and Policy Options in Medicare Part B. The ACR both submitted a written response to that document and participated in a bipartisan conversation with six committee offices and other office-based specialties to discuss issues facing rheumatologists and possible short- and long-term policy solutions.
Our members tell us that Medicare physician payment reform is their defining legislative issue. We will continue to educate Congress on the importance of both short- and long-term reforms. You can help by telling your members of Congress how reimbursement reform can benefit access to healthcare.
