The American Medical Association (AMA) is urging congressional leaders to pass legislation vital to the sustainability of physician practices.
In a letter sent July 24, the AMA -- along with cosigners from all 50 state medical societies and 76 other health organizations, including the American College of Radiology, the American Society of Neuroradiology, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and the Society of Interventional Radiology -- is asking Congress to take the following actions:
- Enact an annual, permanent inflationary payment update in Medicare that would be tied to the Medicare Economic Index (H.R. 2474).
- Pass budget neutrality reforms (H.R. 6371).
- Overhaul the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
- Modify alternative payment models (S. 3503/H.R. 5013).
"The current Medicare Physician Payment System (MPPS) is increasingly unsustainable and the necessary policy reforms can no longer be delayed without severe repercussions for patient access and quality of care," the AMA and cosigners warned.
