At today’s annual meeting in Chicago, AMA doctors spoke unanimously for Congress to stop Medicare physician payment cuts and instead update payments in line with practice cost increases.
The AMA’s position was a response to Congress’ plans to cut Medicare physician payments by 10% in the next year, placing seniors’ access to health care at risk.
"The current Medicare physician payment system is broken beyond repair," said AMA boardmember William Hazel. "It relies on a formula tied to the ups and downs of the economy, not the health care needs of America’s seniors."
At the same time that the government plans to cut Medicare payments to physicians, it is increasing payments to private health plans administering Medicare Advantage. The government now pays Medicare Advantage plans on average 12% more than it spends on patients enrolled in traditional Medicare.
"AMA doctors spoke loud and clear that this $65 billion insurance industry subsidy must end—and the savings should be used to stop Medicare cuts to doctors caring for America’s seniors."
