Reps. Bucshon and Bera Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Physicians from Pay Cuts under Medicare

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.) and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide critical relief to physicians who are scheduled to receive Medicare payment cuts. The Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 would ensure payments to these providers are kept stable and extend certain increases in payments for physicians' services under the Medicare program through 2023.

"Doctors across Indiana and the nation are already experiencing record levels of burnout and critical staffing shortages. Now, they face looming pay cuts that once again threaten financial viability. I joined my colleague Representative Ami Bera, M.D. to introduce practical, commonsense legislation to ensure that providers receive adequate and fair compensation for their work. We must work to stabilize physician payment so that patients have access to the care they need," said Rep. Bucshon.

"As an internal medicine doctor by training, I know that cutting payments for physicians further strains our health care system and the ability for health care professionals to provide the best care for their patients," said Representative Bera. "It's time Congress reforms Medicare provider payments to ensure that we have a stable Medicare payment system so that we can transition move towards value, not volume.

Reps. Bucshon and Bera have been long standing champions and have led successful efforts to mitigate proposed cuts in health care payments. Last week, they issued a Request for Information regarding the implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 to identify steps Congress should take to stabilize the Medicare payment system, without dramatic increases in Medicare spending, while ensuring successful value-based care incentives are in place.

In 2023, physicians face more than 8.42% payment cuts, this bill would stop the 4.42% cuts in Medicare payments providers will face on January 1st.

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