The AAMC commented June 12 on Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo’s (R-Idaho) issue paper (PDF), which addresses Medicare Part B physician payment. The paper, released in May, outlines items related to improving care and modernizing physician payment [refer to Washington Highlights, May 24].
In its comments, the AAMC shared concerns about the Medicare physician payment system. The AAMC recommended that Congress ensure that payment programs provide financial stability and include make adjustments to budget neutrality. The AAMC also recommended that Congress incentivize participation in alternative payment models, rethink the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, ensure the integrity of the physician fee schedule, extend COVID-19-era telehealth waivers, and make a concerted effort to avoid counterproductive cuts to hospitals and teaching health systems.